Amazon.com, Inc., founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos, started out as an online bookstore. But over the years, the company has grown exponentially, expanding into new markets and industries, and now stands as one of the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing companies. Its success can be attributed to several factors, including its customer-centric approach, constant innovation, and an unwavering focus on long-term growth.
Price history of amazon stock
One of the most significant measures of a company’s success is its stock price. Amazon’s stock has been on a wild ride since the company’s initial public offering (IPO) in 1997. Initially, the company’s stock price was relatively low, and it remained that way for several years. However, over the last two decades, Amazon’s stock price has skyrocketed, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of Amazon’s stock price.
1997-2001: Amazon’s Early Years
Amazon went public on May 15, 1997, offering 3 million shares at $18 per share. At the end of the first day of trading, Amazon’s stock price had risen to $23.50 per share, a gain of more than 30%. Over the next few years, Amazon’s stock price fluctuated, rising and falling based on the company’s performance and market conditions.
In early 2000, Amazon’s stock price reached an all-time high of $106 per share, but by the end of the year, it had fallen to around $15 per share. The dot-com bubble burst, causing many internet companies to go bankrupt or struggle financially. Amazon, however, managed to weather the storm and continue growing its business.
2002-2008: Growth and Expansion
In 2002, Amazon launched its Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform, which would become a major driver of the company’s growth in the years to come. AWS provided cloud computing services to businesses, allowing them to host their websites and applications on Amazon’s servers. AWS was a game-changer, and it helped Amazon expand its reach beyond e-commerce.
Between 2002 and 2008, Amazon’s stock price saw steady growth, rising from around $16 per share in 2002 to around $90 per share in 2008. During this period, Amazon continued to expand its product offerings, launching new services like Amazon Prime and Amazon Marketplace. The company’s revenue grew from $3.9 billion in 2002 to $19.2 billion in 2008.
2008-2014: Continued Expansion and Profitability
The financial crisis of 2008 hit many businesses hard, but Amazon managed to weather the storm and continue growing. Between 2008 and 2014, Amazon’s stock price rose from around $50 per share to around $300 per share. During this period, the company continued to expand its product offerings, launching new services like AmazonFresh and Amazon Studios.
One significant milestone for Amazon during this period was the company’s first profitable year in 2009. This was a significant achievement for a company that had been investing heavily in growth and expansion. Over the next few years, Amazon continued to post profits, albeit small ones, as its revenue continued to grow.
2015-2020: Explosive Growth and Record Highs
The years between 2015 and 2020 were a period of explosive growth for Amazon. The company’s stock price rose from around $300 per share in 2015 to around $3,000 per share in 2020, a gain of more than 900%. During this period, Amazon continued to expand its product offerings, launching new services like Amazon Go and Amazon Business.
Riding the Wave: Amazon’s Stock Price Journey Over the Past Decade
Over the past decade, Amazon’s stock price has been on a rollercoaster ride, surging to new heights and experiencing steep drops. The company, which started as an online bookstore, has become one of the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing companies, with a market capitalization of over $1.6 trillion as of early 2023. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of Amazon’s stock price over the past decade.
2012-2016: Steady Growth
At the start of 2012, Amazon’s stock price was around $180 per share. Over the next few years, the company’s stock price saw steady growth, rising to around $450 per share by the end of 2015. During this period, Amazon continued to expand its product offerings, launching new services like Amazon Prime Now and Amazon Echo.
In 2016, Amazon posted its fifth straight year of profits, driven by strong growth in its e-commerce and cloud computing businesses. The company’s revenue for the year was $136 billion, up from $88 billion in 2014. Amazon’s stock price ended the year around $750 per share, a gain of more than 65% from the start of the year.
2017: Amazon’s Acquisition of Whole Foods
In June 2017, Amazon announced that it would acquire Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion, its largest acquisition to date. The move was seen as a significant step for Amazon, as it gave the company a foothold in the grocery industry and access to Whole Foods’ network of stores.
The announcement of the acquisition caused a stir in the market, with many analysts questioning the price tag and the potential impact on Amazon’s business. However, investors seemed to have confidence in Amazon’s strategy, and the company’s stock price rose from around $970 per share in June to over $1,100 per share by the end of the year.
2018: Record Highs and Market Volatility
In early 2018, Amazon’s stock price surged to new heights, reaching an all-time high of over $2,000 per share in September. The company’s market capitalization briefly topped $1 trillion, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world.
However, the latter half of 2018 was marked by market volatility, with Amazon’s stock price experiencing steep drops along with the broader market. In October, Amazon’s stock price fell by more than 20% from its peak, as investors worried about the impact of rising interest rates and trade tensions between the US and China.
Despite the market volatility, Amazon continued to post strong financial results, with revenue of $232 billion for the year and net income of $10.1 billion.
2019-2020: Growth and the Pandemic
The years 2019 and 2020 saw continued growth for Amazon, as the company expanded its product offerings and continued to dominate the e-commerce and cloud computing markets. In 2019, Amazon’s revenue reached $280 billion, up from $232 billion the previous year, while net income was $11.6 billion.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Amazon’s business in 2020. With many people staying at home and shopping online, Amazon saw a surge in demand for its e-commerce and cloud computing services. The company’s revenue for the year was $386 billion, up 38% from the previous year, while net income was $21.3 billion.
The pandemic also brought new challenges for Amazon, as the company had to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and increased demand for delivery services. However, Amazon’s management was able to navigate these challenges, and the company’s stock price continued to rise throughout the year,