This Tech Stock Could Turn $1,000 Into $18,000 in 21 Years

Source The Motley Fool

Key Points

  • Alphabet has averaged a 25% annualized return since it went public.

  • The tech giant currently has a market cap of more than $4 trillion.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Alphabet ›

Since its August 2004 initial public offering, Alphabet's (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL) stock has increased in value by more than 133 times. Its compound annual growth rate has been over 25% during those 21 years, which is as impressive as it gets.

I don't foresee Alphabet maintaining that average over the next couple of decades, but even if we knock over 10% off its growth rate and assume that it averages 15% annual returns over the next 21 years, a single $1,000 investment made today could grow to be worth over $18,000 in that time.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »

GOOGL Chart

GOOGL data by YCharts.

Here's how much a one-time $1,000 investment would grow into, assuming it maintains a 15% compound annual growth rate.

Years Invested Investment Value
10 $4,045
15 $8,137
20 $16,366
21 $18,821
25 $32,918

Calculations by author. Values rounded to the nearest dollar.

Past results don't guarantee future performance, so I don't want to give the impression that this is a given for Alphabet. Averaging 15% annual returns for two-plus decades will be hard for any company, especially one that is already valued at over $4 trillion. But I believe that Alphabet has all the tools to be a long-term portfolio staple. If it keeps innovation at its core, it'll be in good shape.

Should you buy stock in Alphabet right now?

Before you buy stock in Alphabet, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Alphabet wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $431,111!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,105,521!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 906% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 195% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of February 4, 2026.

Stefon Walters has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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