Another version of my stock graph. Instead of the nominal price index from yesterday’s post, I am comparing real price index to the real total return (price change with dividends reinvested) since 1871. Both series are adjusted for inflation.
Annualized growth rate of since 1871:
Real total return with dividends reinvested = 6.2%
Real stock price return = 1.9%

You can find data at IrrationalExuberance.com & MeasuringWorth.com
I modified my original US stock prices graph to compare the growth rate of real growth (adjusted for inflation) in S&P Composite Index with the nominal price growth.
Annualized growth rate of since 1871:
Nominal stock price return= 4.0%
Real stock price return = 1.9%

You can find data at IrrationalExuberance.com
Another stock graph similar to Exponential Growth Rate of US Stocks since 1871 except this one is plotted on a semi-log scale to help illustrate the price movement of S&P Composite Index. For example, the percent change in the index’s value during the 1990s “Internet Stock Bubble” (a little over 250%) was similar to the price change during the 10-years preceding the 1929 Stock Market Crash.

You can find the data at IrrationalExuberance.com
My next post plots same stock data using a log scale. Take a look here
This is the first of a series of visualizations based on the stock market data used in Irrational Exuberance. Written by Rober Shiller, this book explores the reasons why bubbles form in stock markets and housing markets. You can find his data at IrrationalExuberance.com

Addendum: Oct 28,2010 updated the graph to fix a couple of labels and clarify use of monthly annual data