"Investors often have expectations of real annual returns greater than 7 percent — the areas in green. But over 20 years or longer, rates that high are rare."
"After accounting for dividends, inflation, taxes and fees, $10,000 invested at the end of 1961 would have shrunk to $6,600 by 1981. From the end of 1979 to 1999, $10,000 would have grown to $48,000."
“Market returns are more volatile than most people realize,” Mr. Easterling said, “even over periods as long as 20 years.”
http://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/... (archive.nytimes.com: In Investing, It’s When You Start And When You Finish)
"Investors often have expectations of real annual returns greater than 7 percent — the areas in green. But over 20 years or longer, rates that high are rare."
"After accounting for dividends, inflation, taxes and fees, $10,000 invested at the end of 1961 would have shrunk to $6,600 by 1981. From the end of 1979 to 1999, $10,000 would have grown to $48,000."
“Market returns are more volatile than most people realize,” Mr. Easterling said, “even over periods as long as 20 years.”