Stock market's historical average is actually just about 4%/year after inflation. So it does beat it (absent fees), but just barely.

Barely above a high yield savings account I guess.

	▲	ajross 24 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		Historically, savings accounts do much worse than the stock market. People are spoiled from the last decade and don't remember what corrections or bear periods look like. Over time you get 4% over inflation. That's it.