Market trends

I used to have this sort of vague idea that I would let my son pick a stock and buy a few shares of it as a way of providing a lesson in economics and finance. I just checked, and in his lifetime the S&P 500 is now up a mere 1.1%. That's worse than my interest-bearing checking account's 0.1% APR. But more of you reading this blog know Isa. In her lifetime? Down 16.2%.