Corning Inc. (GLW) Stock Investment Calculator & Historical Return Analysis
Corning Inc. is a world leader in materials science, specializing in glass science, ceramics science, and optical physics. The company applies its unparalleled expertise in specialty glass, ceramics, and optical physics to develop products that transform industries and enhance people's lives. Corning's innovations are found in diverse applications, including mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, automotive technologies, and life sciences. It is renowned for its iconic Gorilla Glass and fiber optic cables. Investors often view Corning Inc. as a key player in the market, analyzing its long-term potential through various revenue models, brand recognition, and consistent presence in its industry.
This Corning Inc. stock investment calculator allows you to explore how a hypothetical investment in GLW might have performed over time. By adjusting the investment amount and time period, you can visualize potential growth, compare outcomes across different market cycles, and better understand the impact of long-term investing.
What if you invested $1000 in GLW on Jan 1, 2020?
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Understanding Corning Inc.'s Historical Performance
Corning Inc.'s stock performance has historically reflected both broader market trends and company-specific milestones. Like many growth-oriented stocks, GLW has experienced periods of growth driven by innovation and market demand.
When analyzing Corning Inc.'s historical returns, it's important to consider:
- Market cycles: Strong bull markets often amplify returns, while recessions can temporarily suppress performance.
- Business model evolution: Changes in revenue strategies and product lines can significantly impact stability.
- Long-term trends: Over extended periods, compounding can play a larger role than short-term price fluctuations. Try our calculator to explore returns over 5 years or larger investments over 10 years.
This calculator helps you see how these factors might have affected an investment depending on when you entered the market.
Historical Annual Returns
Over the past 40 years, Corning Inc. has delivered an average annual return of 21.1%. The stock peaked in 1999 with a massive +186.6% gain, while investors faced a downturn in 2001 (-81.1%). Overall, the stock finished in the green 25 times out of 40 years.
Avg Return
+21.1%
Win Rate
63%
25W - 15L
Best
+186.6%
1999
Worst
-81.1%
2001
Performance Consistency
Corning Inc. Annual Returns by Year
| Year | Annual Return | Start Price | End Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | -8.21% | $2.10 | $1.93 |
| 1987 | -13.88% | $1.95 | $1.68 |
| 1988 | +46.01% | $1.75 | $2.56 |
| 1989 | +28.67% | $2.53 | $3.26 |
| 1990 | +3.55% | $3.35 | $3.47 |
| 1991 | +76.39% | $3.43 | $6.06 |
| 1992 | -3.28% | $6.22 | $6.02 |
| 1993 | -24.44% | $6.08 | $4.59 |
| 1994 | +8.12% | $4.63 | $5.01 |
| 1995 | +10.02% | $4.99 | $5.49 |
| 1996 | +51.49% | $5.34 | $8.09 |
| 1997 | +0.94% | $7.78 | $7.86 |
| 1998 | +19.63% | $8.12 | $9.71 |
| 1999 | +186.56% | $9.82 | $28.15 |
| 2000 | +30.48% | $26.59 | $34.70 |
| 2001 | -81.07% | $31.13 | $5.89 |
| 2002 | -63.94% | $6.06 | $2.19 |
| 2003 | +178.13% | $2.48 | $6.89 |
| 2004 | +14.61% | $6.78 | $7.78 |
| 2005 | +67.89% | $7.74 | $12.99 |
| 2006 | -6.68% | $13.24 | $12.36 |
| 2007 | +27.83% | $12.45 | $15.92 |
| 2008 | -58.74% | $15.51 | $6.40 |
| 2009 | +94.93% | $6.75 | $13.15 |
| 2010 | -0.07% | $13.32 | $13.31 |
| 2011 | -31.46% | $13.22 | $9.06 |
| 2012 | -0.69% | $9.11 | $9.04 |
| 2013 | +42.32% | $9.22 | $13.12 |
| 2014 | +31.58% | $13.08 | $17.21 |
| 2015 | -18.61% | $17.27 | $14.06 |
| 2016 | +39.05% | $13.77 | $19.15 |
| 2017 | +34.47% | $19.17 | $25.78 |
| 2018 | -5.15% | $26.29 | $24.93 |
| 2019 | +0.07% | $24.66 | $24.68 |
| 2020 | +23.83% | $25.42 | $31.48 |
| 2021 | +9.20% | $30.54 | $33.35 |
| 2022 | -11.47% | $33.31 | $29.49 |
| 2023 | -3.05% | $30.05 | $29.13 |
| 2024 | +60.43% | $29.17 | $46.79 |
| 2025 | +90.37% | $46.00 | $87.56 |
Historical annual returns for Corning Inc.. Data shows year-over-year percentage change in stock price.
Why Use a "What If" Stock Calculator?
Many investors wonder questions such as:
- What if I had invested 5 years ago?
- How does timing affect long-term returns?
- What role does compounding play in stock investments?
A what-if investment calculator answers these questions by turning historical data into practical insights. Rather than focusing on daily price movements, it encourages a long-term perspective, which is especially useful for retirement planning, portfolio comparisons, and financial education.
Key Innovations
- ✓Invented the first commercially viable low-loss optical fiber, revolutionizing global communications.
- ✓Developed Gorilla Glass, a durable cover glass used in billions of mobile devices worldwide.
- ✓Pioneered fused silica, a high-purity glass essential for modern semiconductor manufacturing.
Business Segments
- Optical CommunicationsProvides fiber optic cables, connectors, and hardware for telecommunications networks, supporting high-speed data transmission.
- Display TechnologiesManufactures glass substrates for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays used in televisions, laptops, and monitors.
- Specialty MaterialsProduces advanced glass and ceramic materials for mobile consumer electronics (e.g., Gorilla Glass), automotive applications, and semiconductor manufacturing.
How to Interpret the Results
The results shown are based on historical performance and are meant for educational and informational purposes only. They do not account for future market conditions, taxes, transaction fees, or individual investment strategies. Past performance does not guarantee future results, but historical analysis can help investors understand risk, volatility, and growth potential.
For best use:
- Compare multiple time ranges to see how outcomes differ
- Use consistent assumptions across different stocks
- Combine this tool with fundamental research and diversification principles