10 years to $1 billion: Step 7, Akamai Technologies (AKAM)


Akamai Technologies AKAM logoMoving toward the light at the end of the bear-market tunnel, our hypothetical investor begins 2003 with more than $7.2 million to invest in what will grow to become that year's top-performing equity, Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: AKAM), an internet hosting concern founded in 1998. Shortly after a well-received initial public offering in late 1999, AKAM shares took quite a beating, falling from a post-IPO high of $345.50 to rock bottom in October 2002, when the stock was trading at 56 cents per share.

Akamai Technologies AKAM's performance in 2003.

By January 2, 2003, AKAM had worked its way up to $1.80. With the funds in our portfolio, 4,007,600 shares were purchased. A fall rally helped take the shares to $10.76, bringing them high enough to close at the top spot, with a gain of 498%. The portfolio ended 2003 with a value of $43,270,538. Was a billion as far off as it seemed? We were a long way from our original $100, but still far off the mark from the threshold separating us from the Oprahs and Warrens of the world.

Next: Step 8: Sears Holdings (SHLD), 2004

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.
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Last updated: February 10, 2012: 03:05 PM

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