(NASDAQ: MSFT) stock has crossed a major milestone. Its market capitalization passed $3 trillion in early 2024, making it the most valuable company on the planet. The software giant currently holds a small lead over Apple, giving shareholders bragging rights over the iPhone maker.

Microsoft stock has beaten the market over the past year, jumping 60% to roughly double the rally in the Nasdaq Composite since early 2023. But you'd be looking at much better returns if you held the stock for the past full decade.

Microsoft stock was trading for around $38 per share in early 2014. At that valuation, you could have spent $5,000 in exchange for 130 shares of the tech giant. That position today would be worth about $52,000, translating into a 970% gain, or a 26% compound annual growth rate over 10 years. The S 500 rose 172% in that period, for context.

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Source Fool.com