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“Only buy something that you’d be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years.”

— Warren Buffett

The investment philosophy practiced by Warren Buffett calls for investors to take a long-term horizon when making an investment, such as a ten year holding period (or even longer), and reconsider making the investment in the first place if unable to envision holding the stock for at least five years. Today, we look at how such a long-term strategy would have done for investors in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) back in 2009, holding through to today.

Start date: 05/11/2009
$10,000

05/11/2009
$63,166

05/09/2019
End date: 05/09/2019
Start price/share: $158.99
End price/share: $1,004.48
Starting shares: 62.90
Ending shares: 62.90
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: 531.79%
Average annual return: 20.24%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $63,166.92

The above analysis shows the ten year investment result worked out exceptionally well, with an annualized rate of return of 20.24%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 10 years ago into $63,166.92 today (as of 05/09/2019). On a total return basis, that’s a result of 531.79% (something to think about: how might AZO shares perform over the next 10 years?). [These numbers were computed with the Dividend Channel DRIP Returns Calculator.]

Here’s one more great investment quote before you go:
“History provides a crucial insight regarding market crises: they are inevitable, painful and ultimately surmountable.” — Shelby Davis