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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 Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE: BSX) back in 2018, holding through to today.

Start date: 04/18/2018
$10,000

04/18/2018
  $17,876

04/17/2023
End date: 04/17/2023
Start price/share: $28.94
End price/share: $51.74
Starting shares: 345.54
Ending shares: 345.54
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: 78.78%
Average annual return: 12.32%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $17,876.62

The above analysis shows the five year investment result worked out quite well, with an annualized rate of return of 12.32%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $17,876.62 today (as of 04/17/2023). On a total return basis, that’s a result of 78.78% (something to think about: how might BSX 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:
“The whole secret to winning big in the stock market is not to be right all the time, but to lose the least amount possible when you’re wrong.” — William O’Neil