If You'd Bought 1 Share of VeriSign at Its IPO, Here's How Many Shares You Would Own Now

Company Overview - VeriSign is a specialist in internet domain registration and has seen a positive stock performance recently, particularly after Berkshire Hathaway increased its stake in the company [1] - The company has a strong economic moat, which is a key factor in its business model and performance [1] Historical Performance - Investors who bought shares of VeriSign after its IPO in 1998 would have significantly increased their holdings due to two stock splits in 1999, resulting in four times the original shares for each purchased before 1999 [2][3] - VeriSign has maintained its exclusivity in holding registration rights for .com and .net domains, renewing its rights annually as long as it meets ICANN's criteria [4] Financial Performance - The company's revenue is projected to grow modestly by 4% in full-year 2024, reaching $1.56 billion [5] - Net income has shown more volatility, with a 21% increase in 2023 to $818 million, followed by a 4% decrease in 2024 to $786 million [5] - VeriSign combines modest growth with high profitability, which may not appeal to all investors despite its unique market position [6]