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“I buy on the assumption that they could close the market the next day and not reopen it for five years.”

— Warren Buffett

The Warren Buffett investment philosophy calls for a long-term investment horizon, where a five year holding period, or even longer, would fit right into the strategy. How would such a strategy have worked out for an investment into Dollar Tree Inc (NASD: DLTR)? Today, we examine the outcome of a five year investment into the stock back in 2015.

Start date: 03/18/2015
$10,000

03/18/2015
$9,136

03/17/2020
End date: 03/17/2020
Start price/share: $83.70
End price/share: $76.45
Starting shares: 119.47
Ending shares: 119.47
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: -8.66%
Average annual return: -1.79%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $9,136.02

The above analysis shows the five year investment result worked out poorly, with an annualized rate of return of -1.79%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $9,136.02 today (as of 03/17/2020). On a total return basis, that’s a result of -8.66% (something to think about: how might DLTR shares perform over the next 5 years?). [These numbers were computed with the Dividend Channel DRIP Returns Calculator.]

More investment wisdom to ponder:
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin