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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 Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (NYSE: MTD)? Today, we examine the outcome of a five year investment into the stock back in 2016.

Start date: 08/25/2016
$10,000

08/25/2016
$37,660

08/24/2021
End date: 08/24/2021
Start price/share: $405.02
End price/share: $1,525.56
Starting shares: 24.69
Ending shares: 24.69
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: 276.66%
Average annual return: 30.37%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $37,660.69

As shown above, the five year investment result worked out exceptionally well, with an annualized rate of return of 30.37%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $37,660.69 today (as of 08/24/2021). On a total return basis, that’s a result of 276.66% (something to think about: how might MTD 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:
“In investing, what is comfortable is rarely profitable.” — Robert Arnott