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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 investment philosophy practiced by Warren Buffett calls for investors to take a long-term horizon when making an investment, such as a five 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 United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASD: UAL) back in 2016, holding through to today.

Start date: 02/17/2016
$10,000

02/17/2016
$9,034

02/16/2021
End date: 02/16/2021
Start price/share: $50.61
End price/share: $45.71
Starting shares: 197.59
Ending shares: 197.59
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: -9.68%
Average annual return: -2.01%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $9,034.09

As shown above, the five year investment result worked out poorly, with an annualized rate of return of -2.01%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $9,034.09 today (as of 02/16/2021). On a total return basis, that’s a result of -9.68% (something to think about: how might UAL shares perform over the next 5 years?). [These numbers were computed with the Dividend Channel DRIP Returns Calculator.]

Here’s one more great investment quote before you go:
“Cash combined with courage in a time of crisis is priceless.” — Warren Buffett