Concentrated Buying at the Financial-Crisis Low
What if you had concentrated about $220 per month into the S&P 500 for 2 years starting at the financial-crisis low in March 2009?
What does this scenario show?
Investment period · Mar 2009 – Mar 2011 (2 years)
Investment method · Concentrated buying of about $220 per month
Target asset · S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
Result of 2 years of buying at the financial-crisis low (estimate)
Key results
Values verified by the operator against past data.
Sum of principal contributed during the investment period
Valuation at the end date
Personal return that reflects your investment timing
Risk & recovery metrics
These are the declines you actually had to endure during long-term investing. We do not hide this part.
Maximum drawdown (MDD)
-15.8%
Largest decline from the peak
Longest loss duration
6 months
Longest continuous stretch below principal
Recovery period
8 months
Time to regain the previous peak
What if you had stopped partway?
This is the estimated result of buying for 2 years right after the financial-crisis low. Averaging in at the low can lead to high returns during the subsequent rebound. However, knowing the exact low is only possible in hindsight. Figures are estimates.
If you stop investing during a decline, you lose both the chance to lower your average purchase price and the gains from the subsequent rebound. That said, there is no guarantee this result repeats for every asset and every period.
Data sources and limitations
- Based on adjusted close (dividends and splits reflected); FX effect not reflected. Figures are estimates.
- Based on adjusted close (dividends and splits reflected); unless otherwise noted, the exchange rate (FX effect) is not reflected.
- Trading fees and taxes are not reflected. Your actual after-tax return is lower than this.
- This is a result based on past data and does not guarantee future returns.
📋 Results are based on historical data; past returns do not guarantee future returns.
📋 This service is provided for educational purposes to help you understand investing, not as investment advice.