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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 Carmax Inc. (NYSE: KMX)? Today, we examine the outcome of a five year investment into the stock back in 2020.

Start date: 10/27/2020
$10,000

10/27/2020
  $5,062

10/24/2025
End date: 10/24/2025
Start price/share: $87.44
End price/share: $44.26
Starting shares: 114.36
Ending shares: 114.36
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: -49.38%
Average annual return: -12.74%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $5,062.91

The above analysis shows the five year investment result worked out poorly, with an annualized rate of return of -12.74%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $5,062.91 today (as of 10/24/2025). On a total return basis, that’s a result of -49.38% (something to think about: how might KMX 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:
“Spend each day trying to be a little wiser than you were when you woke up.” — Charlie Munger