Nearly thirty years ago, at the end of my eighth-grade school year, I received an award named in honor of Ray Kroc. The prize was one share of McDonalds Corporation common stock.
Here's the story of that one share:
Here's the story of that one share:
https://twitter.com/TidefallCapital/status/1332501397728874502
My dad, a Certified Public Accountant, thought I might learn from the act of investing, so I bought a few more McDonalds shares along the way.
I didn't parlay the gift into millions. Instead, I learned patience and a practical lesson about Uncle Sam.
I didn't parlay the gift into millions. Instead, I learned patience and a practical lesson about Uncle Sam.
In 1993, I received the share for $53.81. Thereafter I reinvested all cash dividends.
In 1994, the stock split two shares for one. Since the stock price had by then risen to about $60, I now had two shares worth about $30 each.
In 1994, the stock split two shares for one. Since the stock price had by then risen to about $60, I now had two shares worth about $30 each.
In 1995, I purchased eight additional McDonalds shares with $300 of my own money, for a total of ten shares.
In 1996, I purchased eight more shares with $400 of my own money. I now owned 18 shares.
For the next 15 years, I didn’t buy or sell any more McDonalds shares.
In 1996, I purchased eight more shares with $400 of my own money. I now owned 18 shares.
For the next 15 years, I didn’t buy or sell any more McDonalds shares.
In 1999, the stock split, again two shares for one. I now owned 36 shares.
In 2011, McDonalds far out-performed all other stocks on the Dow Jones index.
By 2012, due to dividend reinvestments, I owned 47 shares of McDonalds stock.
In 2011, McDonalds far out-performed all other stocks on the Dow Jones index.
By 2012, due to dividend reinvestments, I owned 47 shares of McDonalds stock.
All told, I'd invested $700 and reinvested $565 in cash dividends.
In January 2012, I sold my McDonalds stock at just under $100 per share.
The sale represented a pre-tax positive return of more than ten percent per year.
In January 2012, I sold my McDonalds stock at just under $100 per share.
The sale represented a pre-tax positive return of more than ten percent per year.
I finally understood the words on the award itself:
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence."
-Ray Kroc, quoting Calvin Coolidge
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence."
-Ray Kroc, quoting Calvin Coolidge
And the practical lesson about Uncle Sam: 
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