If I Bought 100 Shares Of Microsoft In 1986

Okay, let’s hop into a time machine for a sec. It’s 1986. You’re rocking a mullet, listening to Thriller on a Walkman, and you’ve got a spare thousand bucks. What do you do? Buy a sick new stereo? Nah. You buy 100 shares of Microsoft at its IPO. And then you just… wait.

Fast forward to today. You’re probably not wearing a mullet (hopefully), but you’re sitting on a pile of cash that’s literally hard to wrap your head around. Let’s do the math, friend—and grab a snack, because this is going to be delicious.

At the IPO on March 13, 1986, Microsoft shares launched at $21 per share. But thanks to stock splits over the years, your 100 original shares would have multiplied like bunnies. Microsoft split 2-for-1 nine times. That means your 100 shares become 200, then 400, then 800… until you end up with a whopping 28,800 shares today. Yes, you read that right. Twenty-eight thousand eight hundred. That’s not a typo—that’s magic.

Now, the price per share today? As of late 2024, it’s around $330. Do the math in your head: 28,800 x $330 = about $9.5 million. Nine. Point. Five. Million. Dollars. That’s not “buy a nice car” money—that’s “buy the car dealership” money. Or, you know, a small island. Maybe with a pet dragon. (Okay, no dragons, but you get the point.)

But Wait, There’s More! (The Juicy Part)

Oh, you thought that was it? No way, José. Microsoft also pays dividends. They started in 2003, so you’ve been collecting checks for over 20 years. On your 28,800 shares, you’d be raking in about $6,500 per year in dividends alone. That’s like getting a free vacation every year, just for owning the stock. Plus, you’d have pocketed over $130,000 in total dividends since they started. Cha-ching!

And let’s not forget the stock splits. Every time Microsoft split, you got more shares. It’s like the company was begging you to get richer. “Here, take more of our stock—for free!” And you just sat there, nodding, sipping your Diet Coke, becoming a millionaire.

But What If You Sold Too Early? (Don’t Cry)

Okay, let’s be real. Most people would have sold somewhere along the way. Maybe you needed cash for a house. Maybe you panicked in 2008. That’s human. But if you were extra patient—like, zen-monk patient—you’d be looking at that $9.5 million. And honestly? Even if you sold half, you’d still be living the dream. The lesson? Hold on for dear life. And maybe don’t check your portfolio every day, or you’ll give yourself an ulcer.

30 Year Stock Microsoft

Here’s a fun thought: In 1986, a loaf of bread cost about $0.89. A gallon of gas was $0.86. You could have bought 1,124 loaves of bread with your $1,000 investment in Microsoft. Today? That same investment buys you 1,124,000 loaves of bread. That’s enough bread to build a pyramid. A carb pyramid. You’d be the Pharaoh of Flour.

The Joke’s On… Everyone?

Imagine you’re at a party in 1986. You tell your friend, “Hey, I just bought 100 shares of this weird software company called Microsoft.” They’d probably laugh. “Software? What’s that, like, floppy disks? Good luck, nerd.” Fast forward to today, and you’re the one laughing—all the way to the bank. Meanwhile, your friend is still paying off their Betamax collection. Ouch.

But let’s also talk about the cool stuff you could do with that $9.5 million. You could buy a fleet of Teslas and pretend you’re in a sci-fi movie. Or you could donate to your favorite charity and feel like a superhero. Or you could just buy a giant inflatable T-Rex and put it in your backyard. No judgment here.

And hey, you could even invest in more Microsoft stock! Because apparently, they’re still going strong. Windows, Azure, AI—they’re not slowing down. You’d be like that one friend who keeps winning at Monopoly while everyone else is stuck on Baltic Avenue.

Microsoft Stock Price Prediction 2030: Future Outlook & Analysis

The Secret Sauce? Time.

Here’s the uplifting part, friend. You don’t need to be a genius stock picker. You don’t need a fancy finance degree. You just need time and a little patience. That $1,000 investment in 1986 grew into millions because you let it sit. No frantic trading. No panic-selling. Just quiet, boring, beautiful time. It’s the financial equivalent of watching grass grow—except the grass turns into gold.

And the best part? You can still do this today. Maybe not with Microsoft—the ship has sailed a bit. But find a solid company (or an index fund), buy a few shares, and forget about them. Stick them in a drawer. Pretend you lost the password. Then, in 30 years, open the drawer and say, “Holy cow, I’m rich!”

So, What’s the Takeaway?

If you bought 100 shares of Microsoft in 1986, you’d be a multimillionaire right now. But since we can’t go back in time, let’s focus on the now. Start small. Buy a single share of something you believe in. Set a reminder to check it once a year (preferably on a day when you’re already happy). And remember: wealth is just patience wearing a disguise.

And if you ever feel silly for not having invested in Microsoft at its IPO? Don’t worry. Neither did I. But we can both laugh, learn, and maybe buy a slice of the future today. Who knows? In 2054, someone might write an article about you and your brilliant investment in… well, you decide. Go forth, invest, and may your mullet (or lack thereof) never hold you back. 😉

Conclusion? You don’t need a time machine to build wealth. You just need a little faith, a dash of patience, and the courage to start. Even if it’s just one share. Because one share today could be a million smiles tomorrow. And isn’t that the ultimate investment?