Is Apple the best stock of all time? (2024)

It’s difficult to say definitively whether Apple is the best stock of all time, as this is subjective and depends on various factors, such as the time period, the industry, and individual performance.

However, there is no denying that Apple has been one of the most successful and valuable companies in history, with a market capitalization that has surpassed $2 trillion. Apple’s success can be attributed to its innovation and leadership in the technology industry, as well as its strong brand recognition and loyal customer base.

Over the past few decades, Apple’s stock has seen tremendous growth and has consistently outperformed the broader market. However, it’s worth noting that past performance does not guarantee future success, and investing in any individual stock carries risks.

As always, it’s important to conduct thorough research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions, taking into account your individual circumstances, goals, and risk tolerance.

History of the Apple stock

Apple Inc. (AAPL) has a long and interesting history as a publicly-traded company. Here are some key events in the history of Apple stock:

December 12, 1980: Apple goes public at a price of $22 per share, with an initial public offering (IPO) that raised over $100 million.
September 7, 1984: Apple releases the Macintosh computer, which becomes a landmark product for the company and helps to establish its reputation as an innovative technology company.
August 31, 1997: Apple announces that it has reached a deal with Microsoft to invest $150 million in the company, helping to stabilize its financial position at a time when it was struggling.
June 29, 2007: Apple releases the first iPhone, which quickly becomes a game-changing product that dominates the smartphone market for years to come.
August 24, 2011: Apple briefly becomes the most valuable company in the world, surpassing Exxon Mobil in market capitalization.
August 2, 2018: Apple becomes the first company in history to reach a market capitalization of $1 trillion.
March 13, 2020: Apple’s stock experiences a significant drop in value as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to impact global markets, leading to widespread economic uncertainty.
August 19, 2020: Apple announces a 4-for-1 stock split, which would make shares more affordable for individual investors.

Despite some ups and downs over the years, Apple’s stock has generally performed well over the long term, driven by the company’s success in developing innovative products and services, as well as its strong financial position. As of April 2023, Apple is still one of the most valuable companies in the world, with a market capitalization of over $2 trillion.

What is Apple Stock’s CAGR over the years?

Apple’s Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is a measure of the average annual growth rate of its stock price over a particular period. Here are some of Apple’s CAGR figures over different time periods:

Over the past 5 years (from April 2018 to April 2023), Apple’s CAGR was around 34.8%, according to Yahoo Finance.
Over the past 10 years (from April 2013 to April 2023), Apple’s CAGR was around 25.4%, according to Yahoo Finance.
Over the past 20 years (from April 2003 to April 2023), Apple’s CAGR was around 28.6%, according to Macrotrends.

It’s worth noting that past performance does not guarantee future results, and stock prices can be volatile and subject to market conditions. Therefore, it’s important to conduct thorough research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Apple Vs. Microsoft Stock Price CAGR

Both Apple and Microsoft are well-known technology companies that have experienced significant growth over the years. Here are some of the CAGR figures for Apple and Microsoft over different time periods:

Over the past 5 years (from April 2018 to April 2023), Apple’s CAGR was around 34.8%, according to Yahoo Finance. Microsoft’s CAGR over the same period was around 23.7%, according to the same source.
Over the past 10 years (from April 2013 to April 2023), Apple’s CAGR was around 25.4%, according to Yahoo Finance. Microsoft’s CAGR over the same period was around 20.7%, according to the same source.

Over the past 20 years (from April 2003 to April 2023), Apple’s CAGR was around 28.6%, according to Macrotrends. Microsoft’s CAGR over the same period was around 11.3%, according to the same source.
It’s important to note that CAGR figures are based on historical performance and do not guarantee future results.

Apple Dividend History

Apple initiated its dividend payments in August 2012, after years of accumulating cash reserves. Here is a brief overview of Apple’s dividend history since then:

August 2012: Apple initiates its quarterly dividend payment with a payout of $2.65 per share.
April 2013: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $3.05 per share.
April 2014: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $3.29 per share.
April 2015: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $0.52 per share.
April 2016: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $0.57 per share.
May 2017: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $0.63 per share.
May 2018: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $0.73 per share.
May 2019: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $0.77 per share.
May 2020: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $0.82 per share.
April 2021: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $0.86 per share.
April 2022: Apple increases its quarterly dividend payout to $0.89 per share.

Apple Vs. NVIDIA Stock Price CAGR

Apple and NVIDIA are two well-known technology companies that have experienced significant growth over the years. Here are some of the CAGR figures for Apple and NVIDIA over different time periods:

Over the past 5 years (from April 2018 to April 2023), Apple’s CAGR was around 34.8%, according to Yahoo Finance. NVIDIA’s CAGR over the same period was around 54.5%, according to the same source.
Over the past 10 years (from April 2013 to April 2023), Apple’s CAGR was around 25.4%, according to Yahoo Finance. NVIDIA’s CAGR over the same period was around 47.6%, according to the same source.
Over the past 20 years (from April 2003 to April 2023), Apple’s CAGR was around 28.6%, according to Macrotrends. NVIDIA’s CAGR over the same period was around 47.3%, according to the same source.

Apple Vs. Tesla Stock Price CAGR

Comparing the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of Apple and Tesla’s stock over a specific period can give an idea of how each company has performed in terms of stock price growth. Here are the CAGR comparisons between Apple and Tesla over the past five years, from April 2018 to April 2023:

Apple: From April 2018 to April 2023, Apple’s stock price grew from approximately $167 to $430, representing a CAGR of about 20.8%.

Tesla: From April 2018 to April 2023, Tesla’s stock price grew from approximately $295 to $1350, representing a CAGR of about 35.4%.

These figures show that Tesla’s stock has outperformed Apple’s stock over the past five years in terms of CAGR.

Final Words

Over the years, Apple has established itself as one of the most valuable and innovative technology companies in the world. Its stock has experienced significant growth since its IPO in 1980, and has consistently outperformed the broader market over the long term.

Despite some challenges and setbacks along the way, such as the company’s struggles in the late 1990s and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Apple has managed to maintain its position as a leader in the technology industry, thanks to its ability to continually develop innovative products and services that resonate with consumers.

Looking ahead, it’s difficult to predict what the future holds for Apple’s stock. However, given the company’s track record of success and its strong financial position, it’s likely that it will continue to be a major player in the technology industry for many years to come. Investors who are interested in Apple’s stock should conduct thorough research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions, in order to ensure that their portfolio aligns with their individual goals and risk tolerance.