[dpweb]

You can only evaluate returns compared to the risk-free return (ie treasuries) - and favor treasuries cause less variance.

Stock market success depends entirely on when in history you got in and got out. When it comes to US dominance over the next century - who knows. I do trust in Fed interventionism and willingness to print money - so that certainly favors stock market investment.

Personally I find stock market is too high a variance and I prefer not speculate with money I can't afford to lose.

Buffet himself said their biggest peak to trough was 50%. Fine if you're already rich and investing a fund. Not so great if it's kiddos college money.