It has been 20 years since the Hogwarts Express first whisked the boy wizard away from Platform 93/4 at King's Cross and into a world of magic and adventure.
But where has the successful franchise taken the following ten companies on the Harry Potter index?
(Photo: Martin Pettitt/Creative Commons CC BY 2.0)
Amazon
Amazon, the company which has seen the most orders of the Harry Potter novels over the years, has seen extraordinary returns since 26 June 1997, rising 67,265% to $1,004 per share.
Coca-Cola
Another strange addition to the index. Coca-Cola reportedly paid Warner Brothers $150m for the rights to link their brand to the first two movies. However, an investment would have only seen returns of 30% over the 20-year period.
Comcast
The largest cable TV operator in the US was responsible for bringing the Harry Potter books to film through Universal Pictures, with the first film being released on 16 November 2001. Since 1997, the company has seen its stock rise 1,035% to $39.50.
Fossil Group
Fashion designer and manufacturer Fossil Group secured the rights to make Harry Potter watches and has witnessed returns of 206% since 1997.
(Photo: Jan-Willem Reusink/Creative Commons CC BY 2.0)
General Electric
Multinational corporation General Electric is linked to Harry Potter through its 80% ownership of NBC Universal, which itself is a subsidiary of Universal Studios. It makes its revenues from Harry Potter largely through the Universal Orlando Resort's "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" and other Harry Potter-themed souvenirs.
Since The Philosopher's Stone hit shelves, General Electric has seen its share price rise 26.8%.
Hasbro
Toys and games company Hasbro was awarded the rights to the Harry Potter trading card games, including the Cluedo Harry Potter edition. The third largest toy maker in the world has seen returns of 481% and has revenues of roughly $4.45bn.
Johnson & Johnson
One of the stranger connections in the index, but pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson creates Harry Potter bath and dental products for children.
If you had invested with the firm in 1997, you would have seen your holdings rise by 323% to $136.40.
Mattel
The toy and games giant shares the toys and games rights to the Harry Potter franchise with Hasbro – however it has a larger share. It has produced Harry Potter: Scene It? DVD game. However, since 1997 its shares are actually trading around 40% lower.
(Photo: Sylvar/Creative Commons CC BY 2.0)
Scholastic
Scholastic, which holds the US publishing rights to the Harry Potter franchise and is the largest publisher of children's books worldwide, has seen its share price climb 166% to $44.60 since 1997.
Time Warner
Warner Brothers, the subsidiary of Time Warner, was responsible for producing the Harry Potter movies. The final one, The Deathly Hallows: Part II, made $1.3bn in worldwide ticket sales, making it the eighth biggest-selling movie in history.
The company's share price has climbed 1,334% since Rowling's first novel to $99.82.
Monday marked the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone being published, so Investment Week has taken a look at the ten stocks which make up the Harry Potter index and how they have done since Bloomsbury Publishing first released J.K. Rowling's masterpiece.
Monday marked the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone being published.
In celebration, Investment Week has taken a look at the ten stocks which make up the Harry Potter index, the companies profiting from the franchise, and see how they have done since Bloomsbury Publishing first released J.K. Rowling's masterpiece in 1997.
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