If You Bought Amazon Stock the Year It IPO’d, Here’s What It Would Be Worth Today
Written by
Vance Cariaga
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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You’ll find no shortage of “what ifs” on Wall Street, and many involve stocks that could have made you a millionaire with a minimal investment.
One of those stocks is Amazon (AMZN). When the Jeff Bezos-founded company went public in May of 1997, it was still an online bookselling startup that had been in business only a couple of years. Today, Amazon ranks as the fifth-biggest company in the world by market cap.
What if you had bought Amazon stock the year it made its initial public offering (IPO)? Assuming you still own that stock today, you’re probably worth a lot of money.
Basics of Amazon Stock
Amazon’s stock debuted on the Nasdaq on May 15, 1997, at an IPO price of $18 a share, according to the company’s website. But everyday investors probably didn’t get that price.
As The Motley Fool reported, IPO prices are typically reserved for underwriting investment banks and other institutional investors. But if you bought the stock on its first day of trading, you probably paid about $23.50 per share. That was the first-day closing price, according to The Motley Fool.
Since the IPO, Amazon has announced four stock splits: June 2, 1998 (2-for-1 split); January 5, 1999 (3-for-1); September 1, 1999 (2-for-1); and June 3, 2022 (20-for-1). Accounting for those splits, one share of Amazon stock on the first day of trading has now ballooned to 240 shares.
Amazon’s stock hit highs in late 2025 and has since come down a bit, closing at $208.72 on Feb. 10. Even with that drop, the stock has risen at a mind-boggling rate since the IPO.
What Would Your Stock Be Worth Today?
Following is a look at what your Amazon stock would be worth today, based on different investment amounts.
Initial Investment of 1 Share
- 1997 first-day closing price: $23.50 a share
- Number of shares: 1
- Number of shares today (split-adjusted): 240
- Closing price on Feb. 9, 2026: $208.72
- Current value: $50,093
$50 Initial Investment
- 1997 first-day closing price: $23.50 a share
- Number of shares with $50 initial investment: 2.1
- Number of shares today (split-adjusted): 504
- Closing price on Feb. 9, 2026: $208.72
- Current value: $105,195
$100 Initial Investment
- 1997 first-day closing price: $23.50 a share
- Number of shares with $100 initial investment: 4.3
- Number of shares today (split-adjusted): 1,032
- Closing price on Feb. 9, 2026: $208.72
- Current value: $215,399
$500 Initial Investment
- 1997 first-day closing price: $23.50 a share
- Number of shares with $500 initial investment: 21
- Number of shares today (split-adjusted): 5,040
- Closing price on Feb. 9, 2026: $208.72
- Current value: $1,051,949
$1,000 Initial Investment
- 1997 first-day closing price: $23.50 a share
- Number of shares with $1,000 initial investment: 43
- Number of shares today (split-adjusted): 10,320
- Closing price on Feb. 9, 2026: $208.72
- Current value: $2,153,990
Editor’s note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Always consider your individual circumstances and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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