TIP vs SPY: which was the better investment?
iShares TIPS Bond ETF against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 5, 2003 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did TIP beat SPY?
No — measured from Dec 5, 2003 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, SPY came out ahead: $106,399 versus $21,716 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 11.0% annual return against 3.5%.
What would $10,000 in TIP be worth today?
$10,000 invested in iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP) on Dec 5, 2003 would be worth about $21,716 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 117.2% (3.5% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $106,399.
Which was riskier — TIP or SPY?
TIP swung with an annualized volatility of 6.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -14.5%; SPY ran at 18.6% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.24 for TIP vs 0.48 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 5, 2003 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 TIP 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.