Greatest gains are in the stock market

Grader A: miss

The stock market had its worst decade in generations. S&P 500 total returns were negative in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2008 (-37%), and the index ended 2009 below its 1999 level.

Test: Numeric-direction test: cumulative S&P 500 total return 2000-2009 was about -9% (product of annual returns), not a gain.

• S&P 500 (Wikipedia, annual returns table) (2026-09-28): Total returns: 2000 -9.10%, 2001 -11.89%, 2002 -22.10%, 2008 -37.00%, 2009 +26.46%; the decade compounds to a loss.

Grader B: miss

The S&P 500 averaged 1,425.59 in January 2000 and 1,123.58 in January 2010. The index fell over the decade (the 'lost decade'). Stock values did not show the greatest gains.

Test: Numeric/directional test: S&P 500 change from 1999/2000 to 2009/2010. Actual: roughly -21% from January 2000 to January 2010 (1,425.59 to 1,123.58). January 2009 low average: 865.58.

• S&P 500 Historical Prices by Year (multpl) (accessed 2026-09): Monthly average S&P 500: 1,248.77 (Jan 1999), 1,425.59 (Jan 2000), 865.58 (Jan 2009), 1,123.58 (Jan 2010).