Microsoft at the IPO: $1,000 in March 1986
Microsoft went public in March 1986 at $21 per share (split-adjusted, about $0.06). It was already profitable — a rarity for 1980s tech IPOs.
$1,000 at the March 1986 month-end close, dividends reinvested, held to today (2026-08): $8.34M. The same $1,000 in the S&P 500: $32,264.
Microsoft also went sideways for roughly a decade after 2000 — the stock famously did nothing from the dot-com peak to 2012. Even the greatest long-term stories contain a lost decade.
FAQ
How is this number computed?
The figure uses the same historical closing-price data as the calculators: the relevant ticker's month-end close at the scenario's start, compared with the latest available month-end close, with splits and dividends handled per the methodology page.
What if I change the amount?
Every figure scales linearly: double the starting amount and every dollar figure doubles. Use the ticker's calculator page for exact-date precision and dollar-cost averaging.
Is this investment advice?
No. These are historical calculations for entertainment and education. Past performance never guarantees future results.
Every figure is computed from the same historical data the calculators use (see methodology). Not financial advice.