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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

One of the most important things investors can learn from Warren Buffett, is about how they approach their time horizon for an investment into a stock under consideration. Because immediately after buying shares of a given stock, investors will then be able to check on the day-to-day (and even minute-by-minute) market value. Some days the stock market will be up, other days down. These daily fluctuations can often distract from the long-term view. Today, we look at the result of a five year holding period for an investor who was considering Adobe Inc (NASD: ADBE) back in 2016, bought the stock, ignored the market’s ups and downs, and simply held through to today.

Start date: 04/11/2016
$10,000

04/11/2016
$53,779

04/08/2021
End date: 04/08/2021
Start price/share: $92.95
End price/share: $499.84
Starting shares: 107.58
Ending shares: 107.58
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: 437.75%
Average annual return: 40.05%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $53,779.16

The above analysis shows the five year investment result worked out exceptionally well, with an annualized rate of return of 40.05%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $53,779.16 today (as of 04/08/2021). On a total return basis, that’s a result of 437.75% (something to think about: how might ADBE shares perform over the next 5 years?). [These numbers were computed with the Dividend Channel DRIP Returns Calculator.]

Another great investment quote to think about:
“Markets are constantly in a state of uncertainty and flux and money is made by discounting the obvious and betting on the unexpected.” — George Soros