Every investor has asked themselves the same question at some point: “What if I had put my money into [insert whatever stock is taking off that week] a year ago?”
Apple (AAPL) is often at the top of that list, being one of the most well-known and widely held stocks in the world. In fact, Warren Buffett himself once said about Apple, “It’s probably the best business I know in the world.”
So, let’s break down exactly how much you could have made if you had invested $1,000 in Apple one year ago.
To find out how much your $1,000 would be worth today, we need to look at Apple’s stock price exactly one year ago.
One year ago, Apple was trading at approximately $X.XX per share. With $1,000, you could have purchased X shares at that price. Fast forward to today, and Apple is currently trading at $X.XX per share, meaning your initial investment would now be worth approximately $X,XXX, representing a X% return over the past year.
Here’s an even further breakdown of how your $1,000 investment would have performed if you had invested one year, three years, five years and 10 years ago:
| Investment Period | Purchase Date | Purchase Price | Shares Purchased | Value as of May 6, 2025 | Total Return | Annualized Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year | 5/4/2024 | $NaN | NaN | $NaN | NaN% | NaN% |
| 3 Years | 5/5/2022 | $NaN | NaN | $NaN | NaN% | NaN% |
| 5 Years | 5/4/2020 | $NaN | NaN | $NaN | NaN% | NaN% |
| 10 Years | 5/8/2015 | $NaN | NaN | $NaN | NaN% | NaN% |
Apple’s returns over the last 10 years highlight the importance of long-term investing. Despite temporary setbacks (like the three-year dip), patience has historically been rewarded in Apple’s case.
Ever thought about how much an Apple investment could be worth if you had bought shares when you were 18? Or what your portfolio might look like if you had put that PS5 money into Apple stock instead?
Use Finder’s Apple stock calculator to see how much your Apple stock would be worth today based on the amount and date range of your choosing.
If you’re wondering whether it’s too late to invest in Apple, remember that investing is not about timing the market — it’s about time in the market. And while past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, Apple continues to dominate in tech, with growing revenue streams from hardware, software and services.
If you believe in Apple’s long-term vision, there may still be opportunities ahead. However, it’s always wise to do your research, consider your financial goals and, if needed, consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
So, the next time you wonder, “What if I had invested?” — remember that the best time to start investing was yesterday. The second-best time? Today.
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