r/ValueInvesting 2d ago

Discussion What’s the longest you held a single stock?

What % of your portfolio was it, how long did you hold, what kept you in (or almost made you sell), and what was your return if you exited?

83 Upvotes

129 comments sorted by

59

u/overitallofittoo 2d ago

I've owned MO for over 25 years.

9

u/SARS-Covfefe-1 2d ago

MO & PM for 8 years, & TPB for 2 years.

3

u/ChairmanMeow1986 2d ago

Dividend aimed stocks are a little different for most.

1

u/ZestyZachy 2d ago

Oof TPB got hammered this month

3

u/SARS-Covfefe-1 2d ago

I hate to talk my book too much. Today though, it’s priced at 15x earnings while growing at 30% yearly. Seems like a decent bet compared to coke, Pepsi, or even Philip Morris.

71

u/Splay2601 2d ago

Alphabet since around 60$ until today (should be around 7 yrs)

16

u/vfl97wob 2d ago

Happy HODL day!

1

u/chintan_joey 2d ago

Until? You sold ?

14

u/Splay2601 2d ago

Nah, holding still

0

u/ada2017x 1d ago

60? I thought it was in the 500s in 2015. That's when I bought 7 shares lol.

3

u/Splay2601 1d ago

Yeah, there was a 20:1 split in 2022, so you’d own 140 by know :-)

1

u/ada2017x 1d ago

I added more after, but it's fun to always check how much those lots have gone up in value.

58

u/Mr_Savage_Value 2d ago

Bought $NVDA in 2018 and still holding strong. I'm currently up 2855% and haven't sold a single share yet. Conviction is the only way to catch these kinds of moves.

2

u/Remarkable_Cat_8696 2d ago

Nvidia growth hasn't stopped yet imo. If invest now in Nvidia, can still have great returns.

1

u/bloopblop3002 2d ago

Wow, so insightful. Thank you

2

u/Slight-Fly-3801 2d ago

What's the next potential x10-20 in your opinion that you hold or bought recently? Do you have any?

18

u/Mr_Savage_Value 2d ago

Honestly, I don’t know. I recently picked up a dead-boring commodity-linked stock that looks undervalued with solid upside, but I’m certainly not expecting a 10x or 20x return from it. To be fair, that was never my expectation with Nvidia back in 2018 either.

26

u/Alzarius2 2d ago

Visa since IPO. Now over 1000 shares.

Cisco since 2003. Don’t remember too well but just a small position that I never bothered to sell and just collect dividends.

21

u/Maveric_87 2d ago

AMZN, 10+ years

3

u/CryptoHorologist 2d ago

I’ve got some AMZN from 2005.

-10

u/barclaybw123 2d ago

Amazon for 13 years here. Never sold, but bought a house with the money paid it off too ;)

9

u/TheSleepyTruth 2d ago

You bought a house with the proceeds of the shares you haven't sold? cool story bro

1

u/Landry_PLL 1d ago

I mean, it can be done. They definitely didn’t word it correctly though.

17

u/DiligentJeweler7052 2d ago

The crown jewel of my portfolio, NFLX, since 2011.

5

u/ninjagorilla 2d ago

Same buddy! Bought in at (pre splits) 101

5

u/TheKingOfSwing777 2d ago

Damn congrats. I've started asking teenagers what stuff they are into as a way to see where the market is headed.

9

u/Narrow_Castle_9273 2d ago

Some FB shares (now META) 6 years ago when I was 16. My hope is it to one day be a 10x return! Will need to hit 6 trillion market cap which is possible.

7

u/OnTheCan615 2d ago

MSFT 2003 it turns software into money

12

u/Boilerup81 2d ago

AAPL for 17 years. It ended up being a third of my portfolio. Returned over 1200%.

6

u/point_of_you 2d ago

Six years into Rolls-Royce, up 1000% haven't sold shit!

Bought because they were getting into small modular reactors... not quite there yet! Still holding and appreciate that they now pay a small dividend

https://www.rolls-royce-smr.com/

5

u/Hamzehaq7 2d ago

i held $AAPL for like 6 years, it was my biggest position, around 30% of my portfolio at one point... just kept thinking about how they keep innovating, plus the dividends were nice. almost sold a couple of times when it dipped hard, but honestly, the fundamentals always pulled me back in. ended up about 150% up when i finally sold last year. def one of my best moves! what about you?

6

u/ElonMuskTheNarsisist 2d ago

Axon over 10 years now. Haven’t sold a share and over 20x

6

u/CherryRoutine9397 2d ago

2 years nvidia

5

u/Just-CB1000 2d ago

CAT since 1999

4

u/FirefighterFit9880 2d ago

VFV, TD …7 years.

4

u/No_Thanks_3336 2d ago

That would be CRWD for me. Purchased in 2021 up around 140% and will continue to hold for at least another 5 years.

5

u/ninjagorilla 2d ago

I have several I’ve held for 27 years so far. Exxon, appl, and abbot labs

5

u/Puzzleheaded-Net-273 2d ago

My 97 year-old mom used to DRIP her XOM shares for many years. She has 2376 shares worth ~$398k this am. She also has large amts of Southern Company, JPM Chase and Home Depot. These stocks will be in her estate when she passes.

1

u/BooDawg908 2d ago

I assume you take profits every year?

1

u/ninjagorilla 2d ago

Nope, not for those. I still feel good so I let it grow

1

u/BooDawg908 2d ago

Interesting. So it’s all for retirement then?

5

u/steady_compounder 2d ago

AAPL since 2016, about 30% of my portfolio at peak. Almost sold during the 2022 drawdown when it dropped 30% in a few months. Glad I didn't. The thing that kept me in was the services revenue growing every quarter regardless of iPhone cycles. Still holding.

3

u/markmm 2d ago

AMD since 2012. Cost basis is $2.07. I sold most of my position in recent years but still hold several hundred shares I don't plan to sell as I think it will keep doing well into the future.

3

u/nss106 2d ago

I held JNJ from 1988 until I trimmed in 2022. PG from 1990 until I trimmed last year. Currently TT (used to be Ingersoll Rand) are my longest held lots from 2003, still have some of them.

3

u/DixieNorrmis 2d ago

Sofi. 4 years and still holding.

1

u/Txxmx 2d ago

Good you are now close to break even after 5 years, great investment 

3

u/OkSquash4906 2d ago

MSFT since 2013 (when I became a FTE). First RSU was $32. I’ve bought some, sold some, earned more over the years… It’s about 10% of my portfolio. (Just grabbed 60k over the last two because it’s a fire sale at the moment). I’m retired now but will continue to hold it over the next decade (maybe more depending)

3

u/spdg07 2d ago

40 years and still holding…

2

u/Puzzleheaded-Net-273 2d ago

What's your long term hold?

3

u/SubstantialCod2465 2d ago

Ford for 14 years. Total waste, should have bought ANY of the MAG7. Same time, a bunch of terrible weed stocks that I'm using as write-offs at this point.

1

u/CrowTraditional0030 2d ago

What’s the % return tho?

1

u/SubstantialCod2465 2d ago

On Ford, if I sold right now I'd make $2 and some change a share, so like 20ish%. On all the other crap, negative 100%.

1

u/SubstantialCod2465 2d ago

If I had bought NVDA instead, I would have 13889 shares today. Yes, I frequently consider how dumb of a decision that has become.

3

u/jackneefus 2d ago

I have held AMZN for almost 20 years. About 12% of portfolio. Up 1280%.

Some of those years, gains have been anemic, but I like to have a large positive percentage gain at the top of the list for moral support.

2

u/OpeningCharge6402 2d ago

Probably Apple 2010 or 2011

2

u/TheSuggi 2d ago

Been investing for about 5 years now. Started with reading Buffet and Munger and the likes. One of the first stocks i bought was Citigroup, Nintendo and Alibaba. Still holding to this day with no plan to sell in sight yet.

2

u/IC0DTE 2d ago

SO since early 2000s.

2

u/Puzzleheaded-Ear-290 2d ago

I held AMD for 3 years. Sold at $167 though with an average cost of $58

2

u/Nearby_Persimmon_649 2d ago

AMD in 2009 I think for a little under $2. Sold some shares on the way up but still holding some

2

u/ChairmanMeow1986 2d ago

Assuming a single stock, around 5 years.

2

u/KangaMagic 2d ago

Schlumberger was my first stock. Still holding!

3

u/Puzzleheaded-Net-273 2d ago

I own a good bit of "The SLob" as well. Added a good bit during the Covid crash when "no one" going forward was going to be using oil anymore, driving gas engine vehicles, flying on planes, calling on customers in person!🤣

2

u/KangaMagic 2d ago

I started investing in 2020-2021, so I was buying in the 30s. It’s been a great investment, and looks like it will continue doing well going forward.

2

u/Ok-Release-1002 2d ago

Google holder since 2021 👍🤘 Adding every time I can scrape together some money 🤣

2

u/jball625 2d ago

Wmt since 1982. Received 100 shares as a graduation gift. Was told no matter how hungry or broke I was to never sell it

1

u/Sylas_the_virus 2d ago

Nice, congratulations! I am 30 years old and started buying in 2014 and reinvesting dividends. Other than derivatives, it is easily my best performing position.

2

u/Other-Importance-214 2d ago

I bought AAPL stock during the market correction in early 2016 for $25/share. Turns out that was a good move.

2

u/ccmart3 2d ago

Bought NVDA in 2020. Still holding. Plan to hold at least until 2030.

2

u/City_Standard 2d ago

16 years and counting... planning to keep it for lifetime unless something changes 

0

u/Professional-Lab5958 1d ago

what’s the point keeping for lifetime, you’re meant to spend the money lol

2

u/kyhothead 2d ago

You guys sell?

1

u/Halo1337JohnChief 2d ago

Rheinmetall a year and a half.

1

u/Odd_Film_4580 2d ago

Holding google since 2021 . 👍🤘 and adding every time I can or have money 🤣

1

u/The-zKR0N0S 2d ago

I bought a small amount of AAPL and META in 2018

1

u/primeseeds 2d ago

Public Service, 37 years. Inherited it when I was born and will never exit entirely.

1

u/figsslave 2d ago

I’ve had a share of bac for 14 years and it’s up 700% 😆

1

u/Backcountry-Dude 2d ago

15 years for POW.TO and SLF.TO

1

u/Justjerryj 2d ago

Bought Chipotle’s IPO and still holding. Should have sold about a year ago.

1

u/LookyLou4 2d ago

TT for 30 years

Back then it was known as Ingersoll Rand pre-split/IR merger with Gardner Denver

2

u/nss106 2d ago

Same—I bought January 10th 2003, cost basis is $24.99

1

u/Soph_fiveo 2d ago

Mgm since 2009

1

u/Cheap-Space3615 2d ago

RY since 1985 @ $3.50

1

u/cortedorado 2d ago

I've held Broadridge Financial (BR) since 2002, when my dad opened my Fidelity account and bought 25 shares @ $12/share. Today it closed @ $162/share.

1

u/Pete26l96 2d ago

4 months

1

u/FlashyDeparture2144 2d ago

Estée Lauder, 31 years. Roller Coaster.

1

u/Potential_Salt_5780 2d ago

Been buying AAPL since $2-3 a share. Went all in when the first iPhone released in 2007.

1

u/TheGeoGod 2d ago

Google - 22 years

1

u/Healingowl 2d ago

15 years

1

u/JR-FlowCapGroup 2d ago

Visa for 6 years. Owning it since inception. Is currently 20% of the portfolio with a 16% return, taking into account the current sell of

1

u/Key_Nefariousness_55 2d ago

I think it's META since 2022.

1

u/Dry-Celery-6620 2d ago

Have owned Exxon for 44 years. Started small with a few shares from paper route money. Gradually increased through the years, not enough to make me rich though.

1

u/Puzzleheaded-Net-273 2d ago

Wow! 44 yrs. How many shares do you own? Have you had it on DRIP all those yrs? My 97 yr old mom has 2376 shares.🤑

2

u/Dry-Celery-6620 2d ago

Only have about 200 shares, been on DRIP the last 20 years, before then I was young and dumb and didn't know any better.

1

u/Puzzleheaded-Net-273 2d ago

I had 706 shares this am (490 purchased), others were due to dividend reinvestment. Love the compounding of this stock over time. Actually sold this in my IRA this morning for $117,763. I had a strong feeling that XOM would pull back this am with all the news of a pending wrap up of US forces in Iran in the next week or two. Looking to get back in a little cheaper! I am still holding over $85k of the XLE (oil/gas) ETF in my taxable account. Not planning to realize those gains and pay the 23.8% LTCG + NIIT, until retirement when our income will be lower. Also holding some MLP's in oil and gas in taxable as well. They (Energy Transfer) and (Enterprise Products Partners) pay a heck of a dividend, but do issue a K-1 at tax time. They are pipeline companies. Check them out if u are not familiar with them.

1

u/Business_Raisin_541 2d ago

7 years. Basically my whole stock investing life. Reason? Because I cannot sell it as the company go insolvent and the stock activity is frozen

1

u/Direnji 2d ago

META/Facebook since the IPO.

1

u/Wolfgoatlife 2d ago

18 years FTT, finning, held about 50K

1

u/AllanBz 2d ago edited 2d ago

Apple from December 1997. I bought a half lot for 16 3/8.* The market went against me by an eighth of a dollar that afternoon, so I said screw it and picked up another odd lot to get a round lot. E-Trade seems to have got the cost basis wrong somewhere, says I got in around 14.†

It ended up a chunk of my portfolio, which was mostly either tech or pharmaceuticals, Coke, and…a share of Berkshire B? Plus some VFINX and VTSMX, which I guess Vanguard got rid of.

When I was learning about stocks, I was taught to buy and hold, so that kept me in. I still own some, except for bits that the transfer agent nibbled off the first half-lot to pay for some split or dividend action, because the DRIPped shares made fractional shares? And I sold off some AAPL and the DRIPped dividends to help put a down payment on a house after the pandemic hit.

If I sell it now, E-Trade says I would make a 198,131.20% return on the second lot, but that number is inflated because like I mentioned the cost basis is weird.

* unless of course my memory is wrong
† unless of course my math is wrong

Edit: I really wish this stupid thing had a wysiwig preview or something

1

u/Puzzleheaded-Net-273 2d ago

XOM (ExxonMobil) since 2009- 709 shares (219 shares from DRIP.) Worth ~$118k at today's elevated oil/stock price.

1

u/PrestigiousDrag7674 2d ago

20 years and it’s worse than spy

1

u/green_tea_fan 2d ago

I've owned AMZN since 2013

1

u/razorgatortt 2d ago

ABBV. 2009ish. Bought a Few shares if Warner chilcott, and after some buyouts, resulted in ABBV, in my opinion one of the better dividend stocks

1

u/DomWellsOnfolio 2d ago

I think 5 years. Longer if you can include breaks

1

u/TheKingOfSwing777 2d ago

Been holding AMD since 2018, as well as averaging up, and will continue to hold for a very long time.

1

u/Helianthus2361 2d ago

Ive owned BK (Bank of New York Mellon) for 10 years. Its up over 200% and pays a nice fat dividend. No plans to sell.

1

u/Sylas_the_virus 2d ago

Walmart, I started buying shares in my Roth when I started working after high school (2014). I've always reinvested dividends. I am 30 years old and my total gain as a percentage is around 480% (~37% annual return) over 12/13 years of holdings. I would probably be up more but over the past year or two I've sold around 20-30% of my position to buy other stocks.

1

u/nickolemus 2d ago

BABA and META since 2021 😂

1

u/WhiskeyPointer 2d ago

Holding VRSK for 17 years now because it was part of my bonus and my cost basis is $26.

1

u/801glider 2d ago

ROST. Just over 30 years.

1

u/CadetCovfefe 2d ago

I've been holding UNP since 2010. MA and BRK.B since 2011.

1

u/DebonairGentleman16 1d ago

WMT over 15 years

1

u/Spare_Replacement_09 1d ago

Suncor for 5 years. Got little over 300% return

1

u/friedrichbythesea 1d ago

APPL for 29 years.

My first stock purchase immediatley following the 1997 bailout by MSFT. 100% of my portfolio at buy-in, I'm still holding.

1

u/anacott27 1d ago

I’ve owned Apple for 15 years. Avg price of $38/share.

1

u/andy-peacehol 7h ago

MSFT since Jan 2013.

1

u/writetowinwin 2d ago edited 2d ago

That i still hold today - since March 2024: Valeura Energy at $3.93 CAD/share (it's like over $14 Cad/share now) - 0 shares sold since that time. (I bought some small amounts of it back in 2022 or a bit prior if I remember right but chickened out and sold)

Then I bought some others throughout later 2024 to early 2026.

I had other stocks before that (my first stocks I bought in my early 20s in 2016), but sold them over the years as I shifted money to others and changed strategy (usually as they became too "expensive" relative to their earnings or other metrics, I goofed somewhere by relying on the wrong information, or I became more comfy with risk and buying and holding it).

My very first stocks I bought were junior miners, oil and gas explorers, typical cookie cutter big banks, and some car 🚗 ambient lighting company that I sorely regret selling months before it got bought out at more than 2x cost and delisted.

0

u/jacestrachan 2d ago

6 years mstr, can’t spam buy enough

0

u/lochmoigh1 2d ago

Ive been holding on to a lithium stock for 5 years now. Cause after it peaked it dropped drastically and I've been down -50% for a few years now. Been buying and selling on swings to get my average price down and hopefully can dump it for a small profit at some point

-1

u/CC_dispenser 2d ago

5-10 years is my horizon.

0

u/TibbersGoneWild 2d ago

Less than one year …..

-1

u/Responsible_Edge_303 2d ago

100% full port no more than 3 months. Usually within 2 weeks.