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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 Incyte Corporation (NASD: INCY)? Today, we examine the outcome of a five year investment into the stock back in 2018.

Start date: 05/14/2018
$10,000

05/14/2018
  $9,544

05/11/2023
End date: 05/11/2023
Start price/share: $67.22
End price/share: $64.17
Starting shares: 148.77
Ending shares: 148.77
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: -4.54%
Average annual return: -0.93%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $9,544.06

As shown above, the five year investment result worked out poorly, with an annualized rate of return of -0.93%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $9,544.06 today (as of 05/11/2023). On a total return basis, that’s a result of -4.54% (something to think about: how might INCY 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:
“The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect. You need a temperament that neither derives great pleasure from being with the crowd or against the crowd.” — Warren Buffett