AEP vs DIA: which was the better investment?
American Electric Power Company, Inc. against SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 20, 1998 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did AEP beat DIA?
No — measured from Jan 20, 1998 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, DIA came out ahead: $121,145 versus $93,284 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.2% annual return against 8.2%.
What would $10,000 in AEP be worth today?
$10,000 invested in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) on Jan 20, 1998 would be worth about $93,284 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 832.8% (8.2% per year). The same $10,000 in DIA would be worth $121,145.
Which was riskier — AEP or DIA?
AEP swung with an annualized volatility of 23.8% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -62.8%; DIA ran at 18.5% volatility with a -51.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.26 for AEP vs 0.39 for DIA.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 20, 1998 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with AEP vs DIA. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.