GSK vs SPY: which was the better investment?
GSK plc against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 29, 1993 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did GSK beat SPY?
No — measured from Jan 29, 1993 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, SPY came out ahead: $312,844 versus $105,136 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.8% annual return against 7.3%.
What would $10,000 in GSK be worth today?
$10,000 invested in GSK plc (GSK) on Jan 29, 1993 would be worth about $105,136 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 951.4% (7.3% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $312,844.
Which was riskier — GSK or SPY?
GSK swung with an annualized volatility of 24.8% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -51.9%; SPY ran at 18.6% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.21 for GSK vs 0.48 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 29, 1993 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 GSK vs SPY. 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.