Archive · 9 Jan 2026
BSE Sensex Outperforms Global Assets Over 40 Years
The BSE Sensex, which is like a big scoreboard for the Indian stock market, has done really well over the past 40 years.
It has grown much more than other investments like stocks in the US, UK, and Hong Kong, as well as gold and silver.
If you had invested 100 rupees in the Sensex in 1985, it would be worth over 16,000 rupees today.
This is because the Sensex has given an average return of 13.6% every year.
However, because the rupee has become weaker compared to the dollar, the returns in dollars are lower.
Still, the Sensex has been a great place to invest money over a long time.
The BSE Sensex has delivered annualised returns of 13.6% since December 1985, outperforming global indices like the Dow Jones, FTSE100, and Hang Seng.
The Sensex has grown over 160 times in the past 40 years, from 527.4 to 85,712, while the Dow Jones has grown 31 times.
The Sensex has outperformed precious metals like gold and silver, which have appreciated at 12.1% and 11.4% CAGR respectively.
The Sensex has given negative returns in only nine calendar years, with the last being 2015, and is on track for a 10-year winning streak.
Due to rupee depreciation, the Sensex's dollar returns are lower, with a CAGR of 8% compared to 9% for the Dow Jones.
- Who
- Investors in the BSE Sensex
- What
- The BSE Sensex has outperformed global equities, precious metals, and fixed income over the past 40 years
- When
- From December 1985 to 2025
- Where
- India, with comparisons to global markets
- Why
- Due to consistent double-digit returns in rupee terms and favorable economic conditions
- Sensex Annualised Returns
- 13.6%
- Dow Jones CAGR
- 9%
- FTSE100 CAGR
- 4.9%
- Hang Seng CAGR
- 7%
- Sensex Growth (1985-2025)
- 160 times
- Dow Jones Growth (1985-2025)
- 31 times
- FTSE 100 Growth (1985-2025)
- 7 times
- Hang Seng Growth (1985-2025)
- 15 times
- Gold CAGR (1985-2025)
- 12.1%
- Silver CAGR (1985-2025)
- 11.4%
- Rupee Depreciation CAGR
- 4.9%
- Sensex Dollar Returns CAGR
- 8%