Bullish for the S&P 500
Stocks Outperform Gold Historically
Stable
Steady attention in S&P 500 coverage, without a clear trend.
Updated 13 October 2026
The bullish argument: Historical data from 1971 to 2024 demonstrates that stocks have delivered approximately 10.7% average annual returns compared to gold's 7.9% during periods of strong economic conditions, supporting an equity allocation thesis when growth is robust.
How attention has changed
0% of S&P 500 coverage
Rolling 3-day share · as of 13 Oct 2026
This measures attention in published coverage, not the likelihood of a price move.
| Date | Share of coverage |
|---|---|
| 2026-09-14 | 0.8% |
| 2026-09-15 | 1.2% |
| 2026-09-16 | 0.6% |
| 2026-09-17 | 0.4% |
| 2026-09-18 | 0% |
| 2026-09-19 | 0.8% |
| 2026-09-20 | 0.8% |
| 2026-09-21 | 1.3% |
| 2026-09-22 | 1.2% |
| 2026-09-23 | 0.7% |
| 2026-09-24 | 0.4% |
| 2026-09-25 | 0% |
| 2026-09-26 | 0% |
| 2026-09-27 | 0% |
| 2026-09-28 | 0% |
| 2026-09-29 | 0% |
| 2026-09-30 | 0% |
| 2026-10-01 | 0% |
| 2026-10-02 | 0% |
| 2026-10-03 | 0% |
| 2026-10-04 | 0% |
| 2026-10-05 | 0% |
| 2026-10-06 | 0% |
| 2026-10-07 | 0% |
| 2026-10-08 | 0.5% |
| 2026-10-09 | 0.3% |
| 2026-10-10 | 0.3% |
| 2026-10-11 | 0% |
| 2026-10-12 | 0% |
| 2026-10-13 | 0% |
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The argument and its evidence
Several outlets can carry the same argument; no single article is its origin. Read each one in its own context.
Recent coverage
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Fortune · Published 7 Oct 2026
Current price of gold: October 7, 2026
In coverage record: 8 Oct 2026
“In strong economic climates, stocks can deliver higher returns over both short and long periods.”
Read article
Earlier coverage
-
Fortune · Published 21 Sep 2026
Current price of gold: September 21, 2026
In coverage record: 22 Sep 2026
“In a strong economy, stocks can perform better in the short and long term. From 1971 to 2024, the stock market delivered average annual returns of 10.7%. Gold delivered an average annual return of 7.9% over the same period.”
Read article -
Fortune · Published 18 Sep 2026
Current price of gold: September 18, 2026
In coverage record: 19 Sep 2026
“In robust economic periods, equities can outperform both in the short and long run. From 1971 through 2024, the stock market's average annual return was 10.7%, while gold's was 7.9% over the same span.”
Read article -
Fortune · Published 14 Sep 2026
Current price of gold: September 14, 2026
In coverage record: 15 Sep 2026
“In a strong economy, stocks can perform better in the short and long term. From 1971 to 2024, the stock market delivered average annual returns of 10.7%. Gold delivered an average annual return of 7.9% over the same period.”
Read article -
Fortune · Published 11 Sep 2026
Current price of gold: September 11, 2026
In coverage record: 12 Sep 2026
“In robust economic periods, equities can outperform both in the short and long run. From 1971 through 2024, the stock market's average annual return was 10.7%, while gold's was 7.9% over the same span.”
Read article -
Fortune · Published 2 Sep 2026
Current price of gold: September 2, 2026
In coverage record: 3 Sep 2026
“Gold doesn't outperform traditional stocks in every financial situation. In strong economic climates, stocks can deliver higher returns over both short and long periods. From 1971 to 2024, stocks averaged 10.7% in annual returns, while gold averaged 7.9%.”
Read article -
Fortune · Published 28 Aug 2026
Current price of gold: Aug. 28, 2026
In coverage record: 29 Aug 2026
“In robust economic periods, equities can outperform both in the short and long run. From 1971 through 2024, the stock market's average annual return was 10.7%, while gold's was 7.9% over the same span.”
Read article -
Fortune · Published 24 Aug 2026
Current price of gold: August 24, 2026
In coverage record: 25 Aug 2026
“In a strong economy, stocks can perform better in the short and long term. From 1971 to 2024, the stock market delivered average annual returns of 10.7%. Gold delivered an average annual return of 7.9% over the same period.”
Read article