Pfizer (PFE) Annual Returns Since 1972

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) epitomizes the dynamic interplay of innovation, global health challenges, and financial resilience in the pharmaceutical industry. As a beacon of medical research and development, Pfizer has navigated through decades of market fluctuations, regulatory landscapes, and unprecedented global health crises.

Annual Returns of Pfizer Stock (PFE)

YearBeginningEndingGain/LossS&P 500
2023$51.26$28.79-43.84%24.73%
2022$56.65$51.24-9.55%-19.95%
2021$36.81$59.0560.42%28.79%
2020$37.13$36.81-0.87%15.29%
2019$41.03$37.17-9.41%28.71%
2018$34.57$41.4119.79%-7.01%
2017$31.31$34.369.76%18.42%
2016$30.31$30.821.66%11.24%
2015$29.72$30.633.03%-0.69%
2014$28.90$29.552.27%12.39%
2013$24.58$29.0618.22%26.39%
2012$20.84$23.8014.16%11.68%
2011$16.77$20.5322.40%-1.12%
2010$17.96$16.61-7.50%11.00%
2009$17.33$17.26-0.44%19.67%
2008$21.74$16.80-22.70%-37.58%
2007$24.94$21.57-13.54%3.65%
2006$22.56$24.578.92%11.78%
2005$25.09$22.13-11.83%3.84%
2004$33.73$25.51-24.36%9.33%
2003$29.91$33.5212.05%22.32%
2002$37.86$29.00-23.38%-23.80%
2001$43.76$37.81-13.60%-10.53%
2000$30.24$43.6444.31%-9.27%
1999$39.06$30.78-21.20%19.64%
1998$23.94$39.5365.15%26.07%
1997$12.95$23.5882.14%31.67%
1996$9.84$13.1233.33%19.33%
1995$6.01$9.9665.79%34.16%
1994$5.38$6.1113.60%-1.33%
1993$5.72$5.46-4.66%7.14%
1992$6.64$5.73-13.69%4.42%
1991$3.17$6.64109.67%27.77%
1990$2.81$3.1913.73%-8.19%
1989$2.28$2.7520.35%28.36%
1988$1.92$2.2919.28%8.51%
1987$2.45$1.84-24.80%0.26%
1986$1.98$2.4122.00%15.54%
1985$1.60$2.0025.39%27.76%
1984$1.43$1.6716.96%1.95%
1983$1.34$1.415.54%19.22%
1982$1.04$1.3631.19%14.58%
1981$1.05$1.050.00%-10.11%
1980$0.74$1.0542.00%28.37%
1979$0.65$0.7818.87%11.59%
1978$0.54$0.6521.00%2.44%
1977$0.57$0.54-4.78%-11.12%
1976$0.56$0.583.08%18.22%
1975$0.63$0.55-13.23%28.42%
1974$0.85$0.64-24.57%-29.81%
1973$0.86$0.85-0.86%-18.09%
1972$0.82$0.853.94%16.11%

The table above displays the PFE Yearly Return Rate, highlighting Pfizer’s annual stock performance on a split-adjusted basis. This data does not include dividends, stock spin-offs, taxes, or transaction commissions.


Pfizer (PFE) Stock History


Growth and Innovation (1972-1991)

Pfizer Inc. embarked on its remarkable journey in the pharmaceutical industry in the early 1970s, a time characterized by pioneering advances in healthcare and medicine. This era saw Pfizer leveraging groundbreaking research to develop innovative drugs that addressed a wide range of medical conditions, signaling the beginning of its ascent in the global healthcare market.

The company’s stock performance during these years, notably the impressive 109.67% gain in 1991, reflected its growing influence and the successful execution of its strategic initiatives. These early years set the stage for Pfizer’s commitment to innovation and excellence in drug development.

Expansion and Market Leadership (1992-2003)

The 1990s and early 2000s marked a period of significant expansion for Pfizer, with the company solidifying its position as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry. This phase was characterized by strategic mergers and acquisitions, bolstering Pfizer’s product portfolio and expanding its global reach.

The stock’s notable performance, with a 65.15% increase in 1998 and an 82.14% surge in 1997, underscored investor confidence in Pfizer’s growth trajectory and its ability to deliver value through innovation.

Despite the challenges of market volatility, Pfizer demonstrated resilience and continued to invest in research, leading to the introduction of several blockbuster drugs.

Navigating Challenges (2004-2013)

The early 2000s to the early 2010s was a period of mixed fortunes for Pfizer, as the company navigated through patent expirations, regulatory challenges, and increasing competition. The stock performance during this time reflected the company’s efforts to adapt to a changing pharmaceutical landscape, with significant losses in 2004 and 2009 highlighting the impact of these challenges.

However, Pfizer’s strategic focus on diversifying its product line and entering new therapeutic areas began to stabilize its financial performance, setting the groundwork for future growth.

Resurgence and Innovation (2014-2023)

Between 2014 and 2023, Pfizer’s stock performance reflects a period of both growth and volatility. The company saw modest gains in 2014 with a 2.27% increase, indicating a phase of steady but slow growth as it continued to invest in research and development.

The significant highlight came in 2021, when Pfizer’s stock jumped by 60.42%, largely attributed to the successful development and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, marking a critical contribution to the global pandemic response.

However, the following years showcased the challenges within the pharmaceutical industry, with a notable decline of -43.84% in 2023. This downturn can be linked to various factors, including market dynamics, competition, and possibly the winding down of the pandemic-driven demand for vaccines.

This period underscores the cyclical nature of the pharmaceutical sector, influenced by product pipelines, regulatory approvals, and global health developments.