What were the best and worst years for Apple since 1997?

The best year was 2001, up about 44%. The toughest was 2000, when it fell about 58%. Across the window, 132 of 342 years finished lower than they started.

What was the biggest drop along the way?

The steepest decline was about 79%, from a peak in 2000 to a low in 2003, with the value recovering above its prior high by 2004.

Would I have done better in S&P 500?

No — the S&P 500 turned $1,000 into about $7,642 over the same window, while Apple reached $2,426,083. Apple came out ahead.

How much would I haveif…

If I'd invested in Apple since 1997

$1,000 put into Apple at the end of 1997 would be worth about $2,426,083 today — a 2,426× return, or roughly 31.6% a year. Change the amount below to run your own number.

Invested in

I'd have invested

Starting in 1997

19802025

How

You'd have

$2,426,083

from $1,000 invested — up 242508%.

Multiple2,426×

Per year31.6%

In today's $$2,426,083

shares held8,333 shares

The story behind the number

Best year+44%2001

Worst year−58%2000

Steepest drop−79%2000→2003

vs S&P 500317× aheadS&P 500 → $7,642

Apple since 1997 has been a remarkably smooth ride. $1,000 put in at the end of 1997 grew to $2,426,083 — a 2,426× return, or about 31.6% a year. That beat the S&P 500, which turned the same $1,000 into $7,642 — you'd have come out roughly 317× ahead of simply buying the index.

The ride mattered as much as the destination. The strongest single year was 2001, up 44%; the worst was 2000, down 58%.

Holding on took nerve: the position fell as much as 79% from its 2000 peak to its 2003 low, before climbing back above that high by 2004.

Common questions

How much would I have if I'd invested $1,000 in Apple in 1997?: $1,000 invested in Apple at the end of 1997 would be worth about $2,426,083 today — a 2,426× return, or roughly 31.6% per year.
What were the best and worst years for Apple since 1997?: The best year was 2001, up about 44%. The toughest was 2000, when it fell about 58%. Across the window, 132 of 342 years finished lower than they started.
What was the biggest drop along the way?: The steepest decline was about 79%, from a peak in 2000 to a low in 2003, with the value recovering above its prior high by 2004.
Would I have done better in S&P 500?: No — the S&P 500 turned $1,000 into about $7,642 over the same window, while Apple reached $2,426,083. Apple came out ahead.

The chart above shows the whole journey, not just the destination. Try switching to a bit each year to see how spreading your buying would have changed the outcome — or skip the latte to find out what a small daily habit could have grown into instead.

Compare Apple head-to-head since 1997 →

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