The DJ 30 closed at $11,517.67 on Dec/31/1999 and $10,421 on Dec/31/2009
The S&P did almost as bad, it closed at $1,142.52 on Dec/31/1999 and $1,115.1 on Dec/31/2009
The market hasn’t done too well for buy and holders over the last 10 years that is for sure, and that is the risk of investing into it. Most likely the people who bought it for 20+ years will make money overall, but there is always a chance they will not, again that is the risk.
Of course there are always opportunities to make money in the short term if you have the time and devotion to put into it; however that is a different topic completely.
Good Luck in whatever it is you want to accomplish in life!
