What if I bought 100 shares of Microsoft in 1986? A life-changing investment!

The Value of Microsoft Shares in 1986

Well, imagine this: it’s 1986, and you decide to invest in Microsoft, the tech company that’s making waves in the software world. Back then, the company was just starting to get its feet under it, and its stock price was relatively low. At that time, Microsoft’s stock price was about $21 per share when it went public. If you bought 100 shares, that would have cost you around $2,100—which, honestly, wasn’t a huge investment at the time.

I’ve always wondered how much that investment would have been worth today. If you think about it, Microsoft has grown from a small company into one of the biggest tech giants in the world, and I can’t help but feel a bit of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) imagining the wealth I could’ve accumulated if I had made that move.

What’s the Value of Microsoft Shares Today?

The Stock Price Today: A Rollercoaster Ride

Fast forward to 2023, and Microsoft’s stock is trading at around $300 per share. So, let’s do the math: if you still had those 100 shares you bought in 1986, they would be worth around $30,000 today.

Honestly, that’s a massive return on investment—$2,100 growing to $30,000 over several decades! And while this may seem like a pretty straightforward calculation, it doesn’t take into account the dividends you would’ve received over the years. Microsoft has been paying quarterly dividends since 2003, which means you would’ve received additional earnings just for holding onto those shares.

It’s crazy to think how an investment that seemed small at the time could have turned into such a fortune, especially with the rise of the tech industry and Microsoft's dominance in the field.

Stock Splits and Their Impact

Now, hold on, because the story gets even more interesting. Microsoft has had several stock splits over the years. A stock split occurs when a company issues more shares to shareholders, essentially lowering the price per share but keeping the total value the same.

For example, in 1994, Microsoft had a 2-for-1 stock split. So if you had 100 shares back then, you would have had 200 shares after the split. Microsoft had three more stock splits after that (1996, 1998, and 1999), which means the number of shares you’d have today would be far higher than just 100.

If you had kept those 100 shares from 1986 and adjusted for all the splits, you’d now be holding approximately 8,000 shares—which is pretty mind-blowing!

The Emotional Side: What Could Have Been?

Imagine the Possibilities

Honestly, sometimes I think about this and just wonder: What if I had made that investment? It’s easy to say now, "Oh, I should’ve done it," but at the time, Microsoft wasn’t the tech behemoth it is today. It wasn’t obvious that the company would rise to become one of the largest market capitalizations in the world, alongside companies like Apple and Amazon.

One of my closest friends, John, once said to me, "If you’d bought 100 shares of Microsoft back in 1986, you could’ve retired by now." It hit me. But, of course, hindsight is 20/20. Back then, I was busy focusing on other things, probably just like you, and missed that incredible opportunity.

The Power of Patience

But there’s something to be learned here: long-term investments and patience can pay off in unimaginable ways. Microsoft’s success didn’t happen overnight. It took years of innovation, research, and adaptability to get where it is today. If you had held onto those shares, you would’ve experienced a rollercoaster of ups and downs. But ultimately, that patience would have been worth it.

Should You Buy Microsoft Shares Now?

What Does the Future Hold for Microsoft?

So, the big question: Is it too late to invest in Microsoft? Honestly, it's a tough call. At a share price of $300, it’s certainly not as affordable as it was in 1986, but let’s not forget that Microsoft is still a powerful company, constantly evolving. Whether it’s expanding into the cloud business, artificial intelligence, or other cutting-edge technology, Microsoft is still very much a dominant player in the tech world.

But don’t take my word for it—do your own research and decide if it’s the right investment for you. I think there’s always room for growth in any innovative industry, and Microsoft is one of those companies that continues to adapt and thrive.

Conclusion: The Power of a Smart Investment

Well, to wrap it up, if you had bought 100 shares of Microsoft in 1986, your investment would have transformed from a modest $2,100 to a huge $30,000 today, not to mention the dividends and stock splits along the way. I can’t help but feel both amazed and a little envious of those who made that decision back then.

At the end of the day, it’s a reminder of the power of investing early and the rewards of patience. While we can’t change the past, we can certainly apply these lessons going forward. So, the next time you consider investing, just think: What if this is the next Microsoft?

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.