When people quote the returns of the S&P 500, they like to use the 'price return', as if price returns are the only way that stocks in the S&P 500 can make you money. As you can tell by my sarcastic writing - you're neglecting a pretty big portion of returns - namely, in the form of dividends. In this article we present the 2012 S&P 500 Return calculated correctly.The 2012 S&P 500 Return
2012 S&P 500 Return: Price vs. Reinvested Dividends
| | Jan 3 Open | Dec 31 Close | Return |
| S&P TR | 2158.93 | 2504.44 | 16.00% |
| S&P 500 | 1258.86 | 1426.19 | 13.29% |
How do you like 'dem apples? Other years: 
