No stock characterized the wealth creation institutional era more than Microsoft where over $600B in market value was created in just 15 years (1986-2000).
Putting this wealth creation into perspective, the total value of U.S. corporate equities did not reach $600 billion until 1964 ($647 billion)! More unbelievable is the fact that more than a decade later, at year end 1974, the market valuation of US equities would be only $633 billion.
In other words, Bill Gates, by forming Microsoft, created more value in 15 years in just one stock, than the stock market created in value for ALL US companies in the first two-centuries of the country’s history!
Sorry, but you have failed to take into account inflation in that last sentence of yours.
Value does not equal non-inflation adjusted dollars.
You’re comparing apples to oranges here.