AMT vs DIA: which was the better investment?
American Tower Corporation against SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Feb 27, 1998 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did AMT beat DIA?
Yes — measured from Feb 27, 1998 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, AMT came out ahead: $137,067 versus $111,501 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.7% annual return against 8.9%.
What would $10,000 in AMT be worth today?
$10,000 invested in American Tower Corporation (AMT) on Feb 27, 1998 would be worth about $137,067 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 1270.7% (9.7% per year). The same $10,000 in DIA would be worth $111,501.
Which was riskier — AMT or DIA?
AMT swung with an annualized volatility of 44.7% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -98.7%; DIA ran at 18.6% volatility with a -51.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.17 for AMT vs 0.37 for DIA.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Feb 27, 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 AMT 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.