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

Core Insights - Walmart's stock has significantly appreciated since its IPO, turning an initial investment of $16.50 into over $586,000 today, highlighting the effectiveness of stock splits in enhancing shareholder value [1][5] - The company has a history of completing forward stock splits, which have been associated with outperforming market trends, particularly benefiting everyday investors [2][4] Company History - Walmart went public on October 1, 1970, with shares priced at $16.50 and has since completed 12 forward stock splits, including a notable 3-for-1 split scheduled for February 2024 [4] - The stock splits occurred at various intervals, with the first being a 2-for-1 split in May 1971, and the most recent being a 2-for-1 split in March 1999 [4] Financial Performance - An investment of $16.50 in Walmart at its IPO would have resulted in 6,144 shares worth $586,076 today, excluding dividends, showcasing the company's long-term value creation [5] - Walmart's competitive advantage stems from its size, allowing it to purchase products in bulk and reduce per-unit costs, enabling it to offer lower prices than local and national competitors [5] Innovation and Growth - Walmart is leveraging innovation and digitization, including automation and AI-optimized supply chains, to enhance operational efficiency and drive growth [6] - The company has a 52-year streak of increasing dividends, indicating a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders and suggesting continued growth potential [6]