What If I Bought 100 Shares of Amazon in 1997? Here's What Would Have Happened

Honestly, whenever I start thinking about what could have been if I’d invested in Amazon back in 1997, it makes me both frustrated and fascinated at the same time. Imagine this: if you had bought just 100 shares of Amazon when it first went public, you’d be sitting on a massive fortune today. But what does that really mean, and how could this kind of decision change your life? Let’s dive into it.

The Dream Investment in 1997

Well, first, let’s set the stage. In May of 1997, Amazon went public at an IPO price of $18 per share. That’s crazy cheap, right? Today, it seems almost laughable when we think about Amazon's current stock price, but back then, it was just another tech startup trying to make it big.

Now, imagine this scenario. Let’s say, in 1997, you took a small amount of savings—maybe $1,800—and bought 100 shares of Amazon at $18 a pop. At the time, Amazon was just an online bookstore (yep, it started off way smaller than you probably remember). A lot of people were skeptical, and I mean a LOT. Friends of mine would probably have laughed me out of the room if I’d suggested investing in Amazon back then.

But let’s fast-forward to today. Wouldn’t it be incredible if you’d just believed in the idea and went for it?

Fast-Forward to 2023: What’s Amazon Worth Now?

Here’s where it gets really mind-blowing. If you’d bought those 100 shares of Amazon at $18 in 1997, and somehow held on through thick and thin (including those terrifying drops and all the market volatility), today, you’d own shares worth roughly $3,000 per share. Yes, you read that right. As of 2023, Amazon’s stock price is hovering around the $3,000 mark (it fluctuates, but let’s go with an average figure for now).

Let’s do the math:
100 shares x $3,000 per share = $300,000.

I don’t know about you, but just reading that number makes me want to kick myself for not having done it. Can you imagine? A simple $1,800 investment turning into $300,000.

But Wait... What About Stock Splits?

Okay, so here’s the kicker that most people forget. It’s not just about the original price per share. Amazon has done three stock splits since 1997. In simple terms, a stock split is when a company issues more shares to its current shareholders, making each individual share worth less but giving the shareholder more shares. It’s like multiplying your pieces of cake but cutting each piece into smaller parts.

Here’s how Amazon’s splits work out:

• 1998: 2-for-1 stock split.
• 1999: Another 3-for-1 stock split.
• 2000: A final 2-for-1 stock split.

So, those original 100 shares you bought back in 1997 would now be worth 1,200 shares today. And with Amazon trading around $3,000 per share, your 1,200 shares would be worth $3.6 million. Yep. $3.6 million. I mean, who wouldn’t want that, right?

The Emotional Rollercoaster: Would You Have Held On?

Now, here’s the tough question. Let’s be real for a second. If you’d bought those shares, would you have held onto them through Amazon’s ups and downs? Because, trust me, it wasn’t always easy.

I’ve talked to a lot of people who were in the market during the dot-com crash in the early 2000s, and a lot of them sold off their stocks in fear, not realizing what Amazon would become. Honestly, I might have been one of those people. Back then, Amazon wasn’t the behemoth it is now. It was struggling. Imagine being in 2001, watching the stock drop to as low as $5.51 per share. That’s a 70% drop from its IPO price.

Would you have had the guts to hold on, or would you have sold out, thinking Amazon was doomed? It’s a tough call.

A Real-World Example: My Friend Mark’s Story

Actually, I’ve got a friend named Mark who was pretty close to buying Amazon stock in the late 90s. He’s always been good with numbers and kept a keen eye on the tech industry. I remember him telling me, "Dude, Amazon’s gonna change the world, but who’s gonna buy books online? Seems too risky." He didn’t pull the trigger.

Well, fast forward to 2010. I’m chatting with Mark, and he’s kind of bummed out. He had invested in other stocks—ones that did OK—but he kept kicking himself for not going for Amazon. I remember telling him, "Mark, you’re probably not the only one who missed that boat." But I could see in his eyes that regret.

It’s a powerful feeling, honestly—looking back at an opportunity that slipped through your fingers.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Let’s wrap this up: if you had bought 100 shares of Amazon in 1997, and held onto them with the patience of a saint (and maybe a bit of luck), you’d be looking at a staggering $3.6 million today.

Would I have made the same decision? I mean, honestly, it’s hard to say. Back then, Amazon seemed like a risky bet. But here’s the thing I’ve learned: sometimes, it’s about being willing to take a leap, even when the future isn’t clear. Who knew Amazon would become the global powerhouse it is today? But for those who saw the potential and stuck with it, the rewards are massive.

So, what if you had bought those 100 shares in 1997? I think we both know the answer—you’d be sitting pretty right now. Maybe it’s time to start thinking about the next Amazon, right?

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