If You'd Invested $1,000 in Microsoft Stock 11 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

Satya Nadella took over as CEO of Microsoft (MSFT) 11 years ago this month. At that time, Microsoft was a major player in the software industry, but its flagship product, the Windows operating system, was losing relevance due to the rise of smartphones.

Despite this challenge, Nadella's approach to leadership significantly revitalized Microsoft and its stock prices. He shifted focus away from the once-dominant Windows operating system, choosing instead to invest heavily in cloud computing and other innovative technologies.

The Growth of Microsoft Stock

Had you invested $1,000 in Microsoft shares when Nadella became CEO on February 4, 2014, your investment would be worth over $11,100 today. If you factor in dividends, the total value of your investment increases to approximately $13,500.

During the years leading up to Nadella's appointment, Microsoft experienced a decline in its stock under former CEO Steve Ballmer, primarily due to the growing popularity of smartphones. This shift reduced the need for personal computers and made Windows less relevant in the tech landscape.

Before becoming CEO, Nadella served as executive vice president of Microsoft's Cloud and Enterprise Group, where he had significant success. As CEO, he strategically prioritized cloud services and abandoned the less successful Windows Mobile operating system. These decisions paid off, positioning Microsoft's Azure cloud platform as a leading competitor to Amazon Web Services in the booming cloud market.

Under Nadella’s leadership, Microsoft also made impactful acquisitions, including the professional social network LinkedIn and gaming powerhouse Activision Blizzard. Furthermore, the acquisition of GitHub has been instrumental in advancing Microsoft's artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, such as the Copilot platform.

Thanks to these strategic moves and a clear vision, Microsoft regained its status as one of the world's largest publicly traded corporations by market capitalization. Even though it may not always hold that title, its continued growth and innovation suggest that the profitable trajectory of its stock will persist.

Microsoft, Stock, Investment