Story perspectives

Stock Advisor’s 964% Return Outpaces S&P, Study Finds No Edge

8/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Motley Fool Stock Advisor reports a 964% time-weighted return since its February 2002 launch.
The S&P 500 rose 213% over the same 24-year span, far below the service’s return.
Returns are calculated by averaging each recommendation equally, ignoring pick timing or invested capital.
Four cornerstone picks—Nvidia, Amazon, Netflix, Disney—generated returns from 6,158% to 128,583%.
An NBER study of 153 newsletters over 17 years found no statistically significant evidence of superior stock-picking ability.

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Story summary

Motley Fool Stock Advisor reports a 964% time-weighted return since its February 2002 launch.
The S&P 500 rose 213% over the same 24-year span, far below the service’s return.
Returns are calculated by averaging each recommendation equally, ignoring pick timing or invested capital.
Four cornerstone picks—Nvidia, Amazon, Netflix, Disney—generated returns from 6,158% to 128,583%.
An NBER study of 153 newsletters over 17 years found no statistically significant evidence of superior stock-picking ability.