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“When we own portions of outstanding businesses with outstanding managements, our favorite holding period is forever.”

— 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 twenty 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 Molina Healthcare Inc (NYSE: MOH) back in 2003, holding through to today.

Start date: 07/03/2003
$10,000

07/03/2003
  $196,521

03/27/2023
End date: 03/27/2023
Start price/share: $13.73
End price/share: $269.64
Starting shares: 728.33
Ending shares: 728.33
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: 1,863.87%
Average annual return: 16.28%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $196,521.53

As shown above, the twenty year investment result worked out exceptionally well, with an annualized rate of return of 16.28%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 20 years ago into $196,521.53 today (as of 03/27/2023). On a total return basis, that’s a result of 1,863.87% (something to think about: how might MOH shares perform over the next 20 years?). [These numbers were computed with the Dividend Channel DRIP Returns Calculator.]

Another great investment quote to think about:
“Value investing requires a great deal of hard work, unusually strict discipline, and a long-term investment horizon. Few are willing and able to devote sufficient time and effort to become value investors, and only a fraction of those have the proper mind-set to succeed.” — Seth Klarman