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If You Invested $1,000 in Tesla Stock 10 Years Ago, Here’s What It’s Worth Now

A decade-long look at Tesla's explosive stock growth and whether the EV giant still has upside in 2026.

By Jordan Major

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Feb. 18, 2026

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If you could time-travel with money, Tesla would be one of the examples both long-term investors and speculative traders point to. Over the last decade, Tesla transformed from a niche electric car maker into an EV juggernaut and technology darling, one whose stock has seen both explosive growth and gut-wrenching volatility.

But what if you didn't just follow, but actually put your money to work early? If you'd invested $1,000 in Tesla stock roughly 10 years ago, the payoff today would be eye-opening, even with the ups and downs along the way, and could have put you well on your way towards building wealth.

Let's break down Tesla's performance, what drove the gains, and whether the stock still has room to grow in 2026 and beyond.

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Tesla then vs. now

On February 11, 2016, Tesla shares were trading at around $10.13 on a split-adjusted basis. Fast-forward exactly 10 years to February 11, 2026, and Tesla stock closed at $428.60, reflecting a decade of dramatic growth, volatility, and market speculation. That headline price increase alone is striking, but it only tells part of the story, since Tesla's total return has also been shaped by multiple stock splits along the way.

Tesla completed several stock splits over the past decade, most recently in 2022, lowering the per-share price and making the stock more accessible to retail investors. While splits don't change a company's underlying value, they do increase the number of shares investors own, magnifying the impact of long-term price appreciation.

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Hypothetical investment scenarios

To see just how powerful Tesla's run has been, consider what a simple buy-and-hold investment would look like today.

If you had invested $1,000 in Tesla on February 11, 2016, at roughly $10.13 per share, you would have purchased about 98.7 shares. At Tesla's February 11, 2026, closing price of $428.60, that position would now be worth approximately $42,300, turning a four-figure investment into more than 40 times its original value.

A $5,000 investment at the same starting point would have bought about 493.6 shares. Today, those shares would be worth roughly $211,500, representing a gain of more than $206,000 over 10 years.

And if you had invested $10,000 back then, you'd now own approximately 987.2 shares, worth around $423,100 at current prices, transforming a modest five-figure bet into a substantial six-figure position.

Not bad for an electric car company that, just a decade ago, many investors weren't convinced would survive its early growing pains.

What's driving Tesla's growth potential

Tesla's journey over the last decade has been built on several powerful growth pillars, and many investors believe the next phase could be just as transformative.

At its core, Tesla remains one of the largest and most recognized electric vehicle makers in the world. Continued expansion into international markets and rising global EV adoption provide a long runway for growth, especially as governments push for cleaner transportation and consumers become more comfortable with electric cars.

Beyond vehicles, artificial intelligence and autonomy are central to Tesla's long-term strategy. The company's Full Self-Driving software continues to evolve and represents a potential future revenue stream if regulatory approval and real-world performance align with expectations. Self-driving capabilities are a cornerstone of Tesla's broader vision, and management has repeatedly suggested that autonomy could eventually unlock entirely new business models.

One of those potential models is a Robotaxi network. Elon Musk has said Tesla's autonomous system could power a ride-hailing platform that allows owners to generate income from their vehicles. If commercially viable, such a network could create recurring, high-margin revenue that extends far beyond traditional car sales.

Tesla is also expanding its product lineup. The company is exploring opportunities beyond automobiles altogether. The Tesla Bot humanoid robot project reflects its ambition to apply AI and automation to robotics. While still early and speculative, it reinforces Tesla's positioning as more than just a car manufacturer.

Is Tesla still worth buying in 2026?

Tesla shares have climbed roughly 27% over the past year. During that stretch, the stock has swung between about $221 and $489, highlighting just how volatile the ride has been.

Of course, Tesla's future is not guaranteed, and its stock price reflects both optimism and uncertainty. Execution risk around Full Self-Driving and autonomy remains significant, particularly as regulators scrutinize safety and performance claims. Competition in the EV space has intensified, with legacy automakers and new entrants investing heavily in electric platforms.

Regulatory uncertainty around self-driving technology could delay or limit some of Tesla's more ambitious plans. At the same time, the automotive industry remains cyclical, meaning demand can weaken during economic slowdowns. There is also an ongoing valuation debate, with some investors arguing that Tesla's growth expectations are already priced far into the future.

Like many high-growth technology companies, Tesla's share price can swing sharply based on earnings reports, delivery numbers, AI announcements, and broader macroeconomic conditions. For investors, the opportunity is significant, but so is the volatility that comes with it.

Bottom line

If you had invested $1,000 in Tesla stock 10 years ago, you'd be sitting on a significant gain today, illustrating how powerful long-term investing can be when you back a disruptive business early.

That said, Tesla's path hasn't been smooth, and it likely won't be in the years ahead. The stock can swing sharply on news around AI, autonomy, or production numbers. Investors who can handle that kind of volatility and are building wealth with a diversified portfolio may still see Tesla as a high-upside play once their savings cross the $50,000 mark.

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