If you had bought a share of Walmart stock in the IPO, here’s how many shares you would own now

It’s hard to imagine a world without it Walmart (NYSE:WMT). The company opened its first discount store in the early 1960s and held its initial public offering in October 1970.

If you were lucky and smart and bought just one share in the company’s early days as a public company, you would end up with a lot more as a result of later stock splits.

Where can you invest $1,000 now? Our team of analysts just revealed what they think it is The 10 best stocks to buy immediately. See the 10 stocks »

How many shares would you own exactly? Following stock split history and doing some multiplications will provide the answer.

Image source: Getty Images.

Growing number of shares

Walmart has announced twelve stock splits since its IPO. Most were 2v1 splits, but the exception was the 3v1 split in February.

Every time a 2-for-1 split occurred, your number of shares doubled, and in February the number tripled. So your one share became 6,144 shares.

The unadjusted division price was $16.50. While the number of your shares increased, the price decreased by the same proportion. That means the $16.50 becomes a split-adjusted $0.0027 (well under a penny per share). The stock closed at $94.25 on December 13, delivering a handsome profit to long-term investors.

Plus, you would have received dividends for more than 50 years. Walmart’s first quarterly payout was in March 1974, and the board has increased it every year since. This makes the company the dividend king.

The quarterly payout was last increased in February. Walmart currently pays $0.2075 per quarter, more than 9% higher than last year’s split-adjusted figure of $0.19.

Walmart’s simple business plan of keeping costs down and passing the savings on to customers has resonated with shoppers. It has also proven to be very profitable and rewarding for shareholders. With its ultra-low daily prices, it’s difficult for competitors to undercut the company, and that should continue to prove worthwhile for patient shareholders.

Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity

Have you ever felt like you missed the boat when it came to buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts will provide one “Double Down” shaft Recommendation for companies that they think are about to collapse. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your investment opportunity, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: If you had invested $1,000 when we doubled in 2009, You would have $338,855!*

• Apple: If you had invested $1,000 when we doubled in 2008, You would have $47,306!*

• Netflix: If you had invested $1,000 when we doubled in 2004, You would have $486,462!*

Right now we’re issuing “Double Down” warnings for three incredible companies, and such an opportunity may not happen again in the near future.

See 3 “Double Down” Stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of December 16, 2024

Lawrence Rothman, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in Walmart and recommends them. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.