GameStop: $1,000 the year before the squeeze
In January 2020, GameStop was a dying mall retailer and one of the most-shorted stocks on earth. A year later it was the most famous stock on the planet, and $1,000 placed in January 2020 was worth roughly $25,000 at the intra-month extremes of the squeeze.
Held past the squeeze to the latest close (2026-08): $11,862. Buying at the worst month-end of the mania (2021-01, $81) and holding: $222.
The lesson most people take from GameStop is about short squeezes. The quieter lesson: the pre-hype price was available to everyone for years.
FAQ
How is this number computed?
The figure uses the same historical closing-price data as the calculators: the relevant ticker's month-end close at the scenario's start, compared with the latest available month-end close, with splits and dividends handled per the methodology page.
What if I change the amount?
Every figure scales linearly: double the starting amount and every dollar figure doubles. Use the ticker's calculator page for exact-date precision and dollar-cost averaging.
Is this investment advice?
No. These are historical calculations for entertainment and education. Past performance never guarantees future results.
Every figure is computed from the same historical data the calculators use (see methodology). Not financial advice.