SAM vs SPY: which was the better investment?
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 21, 1995 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did SAM beat SPY?
No — measured from Nov 21, 1995 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, SPY came out ahead: $211,349 versus $61,568 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.5% annual return against 6.1%.
What would $10,000 in SAM be worth today?
$10,000 invested in The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (SAM) on Nov 21, 1995 would be worth about $61,568 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 515.7% (6.1% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $211,349.
Which was riskier — SAM or SPY?
SAM swung with an annualized volatility of 38.4% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -87.7%; SPY ran at 19.2% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.11 for SAM vs 0.44 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 21, 1995 through Jul 13, 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 SAM 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.