If You Had Gone All-In on Nvidia in 2016, Here’s How Much Richer You Would’ve Been
Written by
Lydia Kibet
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Nobody would have predicted Nvidia (NVDA) would be where it is now 10 years ago. It’s the world’s most valuable company by market cap, largely driven by its dominant position in the artificial intelligence (AI) hardware sector and graphics processing units (GPUs). Over the past 10 years, Nvidia stock has seen explosive growth of more than 23,000%.
Now, the question is if you had gone all-in on Nvidia stock back then when it was trading well under $1 per share, how much richer would you have been today? Let’s find out.
Also see what investors should expect for the Magnificent 7 in 2026.
What Your Investment Would Be Worth Today
On the first trading day of 2016, Nvidia’s stock closed at an adjusted price of $0.79. On Jan. 26, 2026, it closed at $186.47.
Here’s how investments of different sizes would have played out if you had bought Nvidia in 2016 and held it until now.
| Initial Investment in 2016 | Value in 2026 |
| $100 | $23,682 |
| $500 | $118,036 |
| $1,000 | $236,071 |
| $2,500 | $590,178 |
| $5,000 | $1,180,169 |
| $10,000 | $2,360,337 |
Based on these figures, it’s clear to see that an investment in Nvidia in 2016 — even a small one — would have yielded great gains.
What’s Behind Nvidia’s Explosive Growth?
For years, Nvidia’s GPUs were best known for powering video game visuals. Gamers loved them. What most investors didn’t realize at the time was that those same chips were perfectly suited for something much bigger.
As AI took off, companies needed massive computing power to train and run AI models. Nvidia’s GPUs turned out to be ideal for handling those workloads. That made Nvidia the go-to supplier for AI hardware inside the data center, resulting in explosive growth.
Is It Too Late To Buy Nvidia Stock?
Nvidia is a profitable company, and it’s growing rapidly. When you look at its trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which currently stands at 46, the stock may seem overvalued. But when you use trailing P/E alongside forward earnings multiple (currently 24), it may not look as expensive.
Besides, the chip designer is expected to deliver impressive growth this year. The Motley Fool, for example, predicts the stock could increase by 30% in 2026. It cited multiple positive catalysts, including the release of a new platform and data center growth, that could contribute to Nvidia’s stock performance this year.
That being said, there are concerns about a possible AI bubble and volatility in the sector. “Analysts warn that ongoing AI jitters will seed volatility in AI stocks, bubble or not. Nvidia’s stock price has seesawed over the course of 2025,” USA Today reported in December.
Despite some concerns, Nvidia stock could still be worth a look, especially with the many projections on AI computing market growth through 2030. As always, however, be sure to do your due diligence, consider your risk tolerance and not invest more than you can afford to lose.
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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