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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 Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (NYSE: MTD) back in 2018, bought the stock, ignored the market’s ups and downs, and simply held through to today.

Start date: 10/03/2018
$10,000

10/03/2018
  $17,702

10/02/2023
End date: 10/02/2023
Start price/share: $614.34
End price/share: $1,087.33
Starting shares: 16.28
Ending shares: 16.28
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: 76.99%
Average annual return: 12.10%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $17,702.23

The above analysis shows the five year investment result worked out quite well, with an annualized rate of return of 12.10%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $17,702.23 today (as of 10/02/2023). On a total return basis, that’s a result of 76.99% (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.]

Another great investment quote to think about:
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin