If you had bought 100 shares of Microsoft on October 8, 2001, the shares would have gone through a two-for-one stock split, and the company would later have paid both regular and special dividends. But a precise value today cannot be stated without the verified October 8, 2001 purchase price, a specific valuation date, and a decision about how to count dividends.
Why there is no single answer
“25 years ago” points to October 8, 2001, when measured from October 8, 2026. To calculate a result, you also need a price for that exact purchase date and a defined end date. Microsoft’s historic stock lookup excerpt provides recent data through October 2, 2026, but does not establish the October 2001 closing price or an October 8, 2026 price. Its displayed $517.53 close on October 2, 2026 is only a recent reference point, not the value on either date in the hypothetical. Microsoft Historic Stock Lookup
Microsoft’s official calculator can be used to explore historical investment results, but its visible example is not for an October 2001 purchase. The available information therefore does not support a reliable dollar value or percentage return for this specific scenario. Microsoft investment calculator
How the 2003 split changed the share count
Microsoft’s latest stock split was two-for-one, and the shares began trading at the new split-adjusted price on February 18, 2003. The company FAQ lists nine splits since its 1986 IPO. Microsoft Investor FAQ
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For an investor who held 100 shares through that split, the share count would have become 200. A two-for-one split doubles the number of shares and roughly halves the price per share, so it does not by itself double the investment’s value. Microsoft describes the mechanics this way: “A 2-for-1 split means the investor will have twice as many shares as he had before, at half the market price.”
Dividends add another measure of return
Microsoft announced its first annual dividend on January 16, 2003, after the hypothetical October 2001 purchase date. It was $0.16 per share before the split, equivalent to $0.08 per share after the split, and was payable March 7, 2003. Microsoft’s dividend and split announcement
The company also announced a special dividend of $3.00 per share on July 20, 2004. Microsoft’s stock-history page lists November 15, 2004 as its ex-dividend date and December 2, 2004 as the payment date. Microsoft dividends and stock history
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Those distributions matter, but the share price alone does not show what an investor ultimately received. Microsoft’s investment calculator says it includes dividends and splits, while also stating that its return calculations do not include cash dividends reinvested. A calculator result using that convention should not be described as dividend-reinvested total return. Microsoft investment calculator
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Measure |
What it counts |
What must be specified |
|---|---|---|
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Split-adjusted share value |
Shares held after splits multiplied by the share price on the valuation date; dividends are excluded. |
Purchase date, valuation date, and applicable prices. Rank #3
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Share value plus cash dividends |
Share value plus dividends received and kept as cash. |
Purchase and valuation dates, dividend history, and whether cash is included. Recommended: Update Every Outdated Driver on Your PC in One Scan - Free →Recommended: Fix Windows Errors and Clear Junk Files in Minutes - Free Scan → Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
|
|
Dividend-reinvested total return |
Shares plus additional shares purchased with dividends. Rank #4
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Reinvestment dates and the calculation method, as well as purchase and valuation dates. |
Each is a legitimate way to describe an investment outcome, but they answer different questions. A complete comparison should also say whether figures are nominal or inflation-adjusted and whether taxes or trading costs are included.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to get a reproducible result
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Set the purchase date to October 8, 2001, and choose a valuation date. Do not substitute the October 2, 2026 closing price for an October 8 price.
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Use Microsoft’s historic lookup or investment calculator to establish the relevant prices and split-adjusted share count. The lookup describes its historical prices as split-adjusted. Historic stock lookup
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Choose whether the result counts only shares, shares plus cash dividends, or dividends reinvested. Treat the calculator’s stated convention—dividends and splits included, but cash dividends not reinvested—accordingly. Investment calculator
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Label the result with the dates, dividend convention, dollar basis, and any exclusions such as taxes or trading costs.
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