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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 investment philosophy practiced by Warren Buffett calls for investors to take a long-term horizon when making an investment, such as a five year holding period (or even longer), and reconsider making the investment in the first place if unable to envision holding the stock for at least five years. Today, we look at how such a long-term strategy would have done for investors in Gartner Inc (NYSE: IT) back in 2019, holding through to today.

Start date: 12/17/2019
$10,000

12/17/2019
  $32,748

12/16/2024
End date: 12/16/2024
Start price/share: $153.49
End price/share: $502.58
Starting shares: 65.15
Ending shares: 65.15
Dividends reinvested/share: $0.00
Total return: 227.44%
Average annual return: 26.76%
Starting investment: $10,000.00
Ending investment: $32,748.64

As shown above, the five year investment result worked out exceptionally well, with an annualized rate of return of 26.76%. This would have turned a $10K investment made 5 years ago into $32,748.64 today (as of 12/16/2024). On a total return basis, that’s a result of 227.44% (something to think about: how might IT 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:
“The underlying principles of sound investment should not alter from decade to decade, but the application of these principles must be adapted to significant changes in the financial mechanisms and climate.” — Benjamin Graham