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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 Discovery Inc – Series A (NASD: DISCA)? Today, we examine the outcome of a five year investment into the stock back in 2014.

Start date: 12/12/2014
$10,000

12/12/2014
$9,611

12/11/2019
End date: 12/11/2019
Start price/share: $33.38
End price/share: $32.09
Starting shares: 299.58
Ending shares: 299.58
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: -3.86%
Average annual return: -0.79%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $9,611.19

The above analysis shows the five year investment result worked out poorly, with an annualized rate of return of -0.79%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $9,611.19 today (as of 12/11/2019). On a total return basis, that’s a result of -3.86% (something to think about: how might DISCA 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:
“Anyone who is not investing now is missing a tremendous opportunity.” — Carlos Slim