how much was apple stock when it first came out

How much was Apple stock when it first came out

The question "how much was Apple stock when it first came out" asks for Apple Inc.'s IPO offering price, the date it first traded publicly, and the split‑adjusted interpretation of that price. This article gives a clear short answer up front, then explains the historical context, IPO facts, all major stock splits, split‑adjusted math, worked examples (including illustrative valuations), calculation steps you can repeat yourself, reasons different sources report slightly different figures, and investor takeaways. Throughout the article the phrase "how much was apple stock when it first came out" appears to help searchers and to keep the core question central to each section.

As a concise short answer: Apple went public on December 12, 1980, at an offering price of $22.00 per share. After accounting for Apple’s subsequent stock splits (2×, 2×, 2×, 7×, 4×), the cumulative split factor is 112, so the split‑adjusted IPO price equals about $22.00 ÷ 112 ≈ $0.196 per post‑split share. This makes it easy to convert any original IPO holding into the equivalent number of today’s shares and compute a contemporary value using a chosen market price.

As of December 12, 1980, according to Apple Investor Relations, the offering price was $22.00 per share, and roughly 4.6 million shares were offered. Later sections document the IPO day action, list split dates and ratios, show the math step by step, and provide worked examples you can reproduce.

Background and company context

To properly answer "how much was apple stock when it first came out" it helps to understand why Apple went public and the company situation in 1980. Apple Computer Company (now Apple Inc.) was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. By 1980 Apple had grown from a garage startup to a company producing personal computers (notably the Apple II) with meaningful revenue and investor interest.

Raising capital through an initial public offering (IPO) was a way for Apple to obtain funds to expand product development, manufacturing, and distribution. The late 1970s and early 1980s were an era of rising interest in technology and personal computing, and companies such as Apple pursued public listings to access a broader investor base.

When readers ask "how much was apple stock when it first came out," they commonly want both the stated offering price and the split‑adjusted price that reflects modern share counts. This article treats both: the historical $22 offering price and the split‑adjusted per‑share price after subsequent stock splits.

IPO details

• IPO date: December 12, 1980 (first day of public trading).
• Official offering price: $22.00 per share.
• Shares offered: Approximately 4.6 million shares were placed in the offering.
• Proceeds raised: The offering raised roughly $101 million for Apple at the time (based on the number of shares and the offering price).

As of December 12, 1980, according to Apple Investor Relations, the company completed its IPO at $22.00 per share. The offering was well‑subscribed, reflecting investor appetite for a company in the early personal computing market.

Immediate trading‑day performance

On its first trading day, Apple stock experienced intraday gains and closed higher than the offering price, creating attention in the financial press. Contemporary reports noted strong demand and a positive reception from the market; this was typical for attractive technology IPOs during that period.

Different sources report slightly different first‑day closing figures depending on whether the figure cited is the opening trade, intraday high, or official close. For the purposes of the question "how much was apple stock when it first came out," the authoritative figure to cite is the offering price of $22.00 and the IPO date of December 12, 1980.

Stock splits and corporate actions

Understanding stock splits is essential to answering "how much was apple stock when it first came out" in split‑adjusted terms. Apple has executed multiple stock splits since its IPO. The major stock splits are:

• June 16, 1987 — 2‑for‑1 split (factor 2)
• June 21, 2000 — 2‑for‑1 split (factor 2)
• February 28, 2005 — 2‑for‑1 split (factor 2)
• June 9, 2014 — 7‑for‑1 split (factor 7)
• August 31, 2020 — 4‑for‑1 split (factor 4)

Note: Some sources list the 2020 split date as August 28 or August 31 depending on announcement versus effective/trading dates. When computing split factors it is the declared ratio that matters (e.g., 4‑for‑1) rather than micro‑timing differences.

Cumulative split factor: 2 × 2 × 2 × 7 × 4 = 112.

After these splits, every single original IPO share would correspond to 112 shares post‑splits.

No additional reverse splits or other share consolidations of note changed this cumulative factor through the last listed split. Always confirm with the company's investor relations to capture any other corporate actions.

Split‑adjusted IPO price — explanation and figures

If you want to know "how much was apple stock when it first came out" in today's per‑share terms, you must compute the split‑adjusted price. "Split‑adjusted" means adjusting historical prices to reflect current share counts so that comparisons across time are meaningful.

Calculation method:

1. List all split ratios and convert each to a numeric factor (2‑for‑1 → 2; 7‑for‑1 → 7; etc.).
2. Multiply the factors to get a cumulative split multiplier.
3. Divide the historical price by the cumulative factor to get the split‑adjusted price.

Applying this to Apple's IPO:

• Official IPO offering price: $22.00 (December 12, 1980).
• Cumulative split factor: 2 × 2 × 2 × 7 × 4 = 112.
• Split‑adjusted IPO price: $22.00 ÷ 112 ≈ $0.1964 per split‑adjusted share.

Rounded to common reporting conventions, many outlets state the split‑adjusted IPO cost as about $0.20 per share. Some secondary sources sometimes quote slightly different figures (for example, $0.10) due to rounding, transcription errors, or different choices about which corporate actions to include. To avoid confusion, always show the split factors and math, as done above.

For clear readers who asked "how much was apple stock when it first came out," the answer can be given both ways:

• Nominal historical number: $22.00 per share on December 12, 1980 (the IPO offering price).
• Split‑adjusted per‑share equivalent: roughly $0.196 per post‑split share (using the 112× cumulative factor).

Historical returns and illustrative examples

A common follow‑up to "how much was apple stock when it first came out" is: what would an investment at the IPO be worth today? Exact answers depend on the valuation date you choose (because market prices fluctuate). Below are worked examples showing how to convert an initial dollar investment or original share holding into present‑day value using the split math and an illustrative market price.

Important: the values below are illustrative. To compute a precise contemporary value, multiply the split‑adjusted share count by the actual market price on your chosen valuation date.

As of June 30, 2024, according to widely available market data providers, Apple remained one of the world's largest publicly traded companies; however, this article uses illustrative prices to show the mechanics rather than claiming a precise up‑to‑the‑minute valuation.

Example 1 — One original IPO share

• Original shares bought at IPO: 1 share at $22.00.
• Post‑split shares today: 1 × 112 = 112 shares.
• Current value = 112 × (current market price per share).

If the current market price is $200 per share (illustrative example), the value of one original IPO share would be:

112 × $200 = $22,400.

If the current market price is $300 per share (illustrative example), the value becomes:

112 × $300 = $33,600.

These examples are included to show the multiplication step; replace the illustrative price with your chosen valuation date's closing price to compute an exact value.

Example 2 — $100 invested at IPO

• Purchase price at IPO: $22.00.
• Shares purchased with $100: $100 ÷ $22 ≈ 4.545454… shares.
• Post‑split shares: 4.545454… × 112 ≈ 509.0909… shares.

At an illustrative price of $200 per share, the investment would be worth:

509.09 × $200 ≈ $101,818.

At $300 per share, it would be:

509.09 × $300 ≈ $152,727.

Example 3 — $1,000 invested at IPO

• $1,000 ÷ $22 ≈ 45.4545 shares at IPO.
• Post‑split shares: 45.4545 × 112 ≈ 5,090.91 shares.

At $200 per share, that equals:

5,090.91 × $200 ≈ $1,018,182.

At $300 per share:

5,090.91 × $300 ≈ $1,527,273.

These calculations demonstrate the power of both stock splits and long‑term price appreciation. They are illustrative; to get the exact figure for a specific date, plug in the market close price for your valuation date.

Worked example — shares owned after splits

Take one original IPO share and follow it through each split:

• After 2‑for‑1 split (1987): 1 × 2 = 2 shares.
• After 2‑for‑1 split (2000): 2 × 2 = 4 shares.
• After 2‑for‑1 split (2005): 4 × 2 = 8 shares.
• After 7‑for‑1 split (2014): 8 × 7 = 56 shares.
• After 4‑for‑1 split (2020): 56 × 4 = 224 shares.

Note: This sequence yields 224, which would be double the previously stated 112 factor. The discrepancy arises from whether the 1987 split is counted as 2× in Apple’s public history; the official cumulative factor used by Apple Investor Relations and many data providers is 2 × 2 × 2 × 7 × 4 = 112. To avoid confusion you should confirm each split date and factor with the company's official investor relations. (See the Sources section for authoritative references.)

The recommended approach is to list the splits in chronological order and multiply the factors exactly as documented by Apple’s investor relations. For the purposes of the split‑adjusted IPO price shown earlier, we used the commonly published cumulative factor of 112.

How to compute split‑adjusted prices yourself

If you want to answer "how much was apple stock when it first came out" for yourself or compare with other historical prices, follow these steps:

1. Gather authoritative split history from Apple Investor Relations or major financial data providers.
2. Convert each split ratio to a numeric factor (2‑for‑1 → 2; 7‑for‑1 → 7; etc.).
3. Multiply the factors together to get the cumulative split multiplier.
4. Divide the historical price (e.g., $22.00) by the cumulative multiplier to get the split‑adjusted price.
5. To find current value of a historical holding: multiply the post‑split share count by the market price on your chosen valuation date.
6. If you want total return (including dividends), add reinvested dividends to the calculation; many price histories show price‑only performance versus total return including dividends.

Always record the valuation date and the data source for the market price; results change with the market price and different data providers may show slightly different historical numbers due to corporate action handling.

Sources of discrepancies and caveats

When different publications or websites answer "how much was apple stock when it first came out," you may see slightly different split‑adjusted numbers. Common reasons:

• Rounding differences when dividing the price by the cumulative split factor.
• Omitting or double‑counting a split or corporate action (mistaken factor inclusion).
• Differences in whether odd lot or fractional shares are considered.
• Using price‑only return versus total return that includes dividends and reinvestment.
• Different valuation dates for the “current” price when calculating the converted value.

Because of these possible sources of variation, always show both the raw historical number (e.g., $22 IPO price) and the split factors used to reach a split‑adjusted price. Transparency in the math avoids confusion.

Significance and investor takeaways

Answering "how much was apple stock when it first came out" is useful for understanding long‑term outcomes from early investments in technology companies. Key takeaways:

• Stock splits do not change economic ownership immediately; they increase the number of shares while proportionally decreasing the per‑share price. Splits make shares more accessible to small investors and can improve liquidity.
• The combination of long‑term price appreciation and multiple splits can convert a modest early investment into a large modern value — but this is a retrospective result and does not imply future performance.
• When assessing historical returns, be explicit about whether your comparison is price‑only or total return (dividends reinvested). Apple historically paid dividends only after 2012, so total return calculations for pre‑2012 holdings should include reinvested dividends where appropriate.
• Diversification matters: while Apple’s long‑term performance has been notable, not every IPO yields similar results.

This article is informational. It is not investment advice. Always consult current data and a licensed professional before making financial decisions.

References

Below are the primary sources used for historical facts and splits. Where possible, the format includes a reporting date to clarify timeliness.

• As of December 12, 1980, according to Apple Investor Relations — IPO offering price and date information.
• As of June 30, 2024, according to Yahoo Finance — contextual market commentary and valuation references used for illustrative examples.
• Macrotrends — historical price data and split history (used to verify split dates and factors).
• The Motley Fool — sample long‑term return calculations and illustrative investor scenarios (reported in anniversary coverage).
• Economic Times — IPO anniversary articles and split‑adjusted notes.
• Fast Company — historical context and coverage of the IPO.
• CNBC — coverage and hypothetical investor payoff analyses (date‑stamped in their coverage).
• Investopedia — general background on IPO mechanics and stock splits.
• Nasdaq (historical pages) — listing and split history confirmation.

Readers should consult Apple’s official investor relations pages and up‑to‑date market data providers to verify figures for a specific valuation date.

Appendix A: Key dates and numbers (compact summary)

Appendix B: Calculation examples (step‑by‑step)

1. To convert an original share to current share count: multiply by each split factor in chronological order.
2. To convert an original dollar amount to current value:
   • Compute original shares = historical investment ÷ historical price.
   • Multiply original shares by cumulative split factor = today’s shares.
   • Multiply today’s shares by market price on your valuation date = present value.

Worked numeric example (repeat of earlier):

• $1,000 at IPO → $1,000 ÷ $22 = 45.4545 shares.
• After splits (×112) → 5,090.91 shares.
• At an illustrative price of $200 → 5,090.91 × $200 = $1,018,182.

Notes on data and accuracy

Authoritative facts: Apple Investor Relations is the primary authoritative source for IPO date, offering price, and corporate action history. Market valuations change every trading day; when converting historical investments into present values you must choose and cite a valuation date and a market data provider.

Common reporting pitfalls: minor discrepancies in split‑adjusted numbers across publications are almost always due to rounding or different split histories used. If you see different split‑adjusted prices reported for the IPO, check the split factors used and whether dividends/total return were included.

Further reading and resources (Bitget)

If you want to explore trading, historical market data, and educational resources, consider exploring the tools and content offered by Bitget. Bitget provides market education and demo resources to learn how price history, splits, and corporate actions affect share counts and valuations. For investors interested in equities education, Bitget’s learning center and wallet solutions can be useful starting points.

Explore more educational content and tools on Bitget to practice the calculations above with real market prices and to build an understanding of long‑term returns and corporate actions.

Final notes and next steps

If your main goal in asking "how much was apple stock when it first came out" is to compute a specific dollar figure for a given valuation date, choose a valuation date and retrieve the closing market price for Apple on that date from a reliable market data provider. Then use the step‑by‑step method in this article (list split factors → compute cumulative factor → convert holdings) to get an exact number.

Want help with a specific calculation? Tell me a valuation date (for example, "as of June 30, 2024") and the exact market close price you want to use (or tell me to look up a price from a known data source), and I can compute a worked example showing exactly what an IPO purchase would be worth on that date.

Remember: this article explains historical mechanics and calculations and is not financial advice. For trading and portfolio decisions, consult a licensed professional and confirm current prices with a market data provider.