Ten years ago, the economic outlook was bleak. The U.S. was in a recession. The subprime mortgage crisis was undermining Bear Stearns, Lehman Bros., Countrywide Financial, AIG, and other major financial institutions. General Motors looked like it might go out of business.

Over the 10-year period ended March 31, 2018, the S&P 500 total return index gained +148% - increasing principal investments 2½ times, from a $1 to $2.48.

From the stock market's low point on March 9, 2009, the S&P 500 total return index is up +372% - increasing principal investments 4¾ times, from a $1 to $4.72.