“When we own portions of outstanding businesses with outstanding managements, our favorite holding period is forever.”
— Warren Buffett
The Warren Buffett investment philosophy calls for a long-term investment horizon, where a two-decade holding period, or even longer, would fit right into the strategy. How would such a strategy have worked out for an investment into Align Technology Inc (NASD: ALGN)? Today, we examine the outcome of a two-decade investment into the stock back in 2006.
| Start date: | 01/09/2006 |
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| End date: | 01/06/2026 | ||||
| Start price/share: | $6.34 | ||||
| End price/share: | $167.66 | ||||
| Starting shares: | 1,577.29 | ||||
| Ending shares: | 1,577.29 | ||||
| Dividends reinvested/share: | $0.00 | ||||
| Total return: | 2,544.48% | ||||
| Average annual return: | 17.79% | ||||
| Starting investment: | $10,000.00 | ||||
| Ending investment: | $264,580.64 | ||||
The above analysis shows the two-decade investment result worked out exceptionally well, with an annualized rate of return of 17.79%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 20 years ago into $264,580.64 today (as of 01/06/2026). On a total return basis, that’s a result of 2,544.48% (something to think about: how might ALGN shares perform over the next 20 years?). [These numbers were computed with the Dividend Channel DRIP Returns Calculator.]
More investment wisdom to ponder:
“The most important thing about an investment philosophy is that you have one.” — David Booth
