$25 Invested in Apple or Microsoft Could Have Made You Rich

The Get the Facts Data Team has created an interactive tool that allows users to see how much $100 invested in various stocks could have grown to. By clicking on the 'time machine' link, users can input a year and investment amount to visualize their potential returns.

Investing just $25 of Apple stock at its opening would have resulted in approximately $65,000 today, while investing $25 in Microsoft at its opening in 1986 would have yielded around $125,000. The tool also allows users to see the potential growth of an investment in the S&P 500, which has historically averaged a 10% annual return.

Scott Laing, clinical assistant professor of finance at the University at Buffalo, emphasizes that investing does not require a large amount of money and encourages individuals to start their stock market journey. He notes that 'what matters is you're in the market, and usually over time, a rising tide lifts all ships.'

The tool aims to educate investors about the potential benefits of long-term investing and encourage those who may be hesitant to participate in the stock market.