If You Had Followed Warren Buffett’s Investments in 2016, Here’s How Much Richer You Would’ve Been
Written by
Marc Guberti
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Mirroring investors like Warren Buffett has been a winning strategy for some people. While it’s a lot easier to buy Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) than it is to follow each of Buffett’s moves, a deeper look at his big decisions can introduce compelling long-term opportunities.
Buffett’s top five holdings at the end of 2016 were Kraft Heinz (KHC), Wells Fargo (WFC), Coca-Cola (KO), IBM (IBM) and American Express (AXP). Four of those five picks are still up big over the past five years, but probably one of the most important things about Buffett’s 2016 investments is his position in Apple (AAPL). Buffett started buying Apple in the first quarter of 2016, and he quickly turned it into his largest holding.
So let’s take a look at how much richer investors would have been if they had bought Apple or Berkshire Hathaway stock in 2016. It’s also good to look at how much major stock market index funds have grown over that period as well, considering Buffett regularly vouches for them.
Also see Warren Buffett’s five best money tips to have a successful 2026.
Berkshire Hathaway Stock Continued To Rally
Berkshire Hathaway closed at $129.77 on Jan. 29, 2016. Just about 10 years later, on Jan. 30, 2026, it closed at $480.53 per share, resulting in a 270% gain. A $10,000 investment would have turned into $37,000. Berkshire Hathaway shares are up only slightly over the past year, but the stock has also more than doubled over the past five years.
Many people view Berkshire Hathaway as an economic bellwether since it holds many businesses in industries like insurance, utilities, manufacturing and retail. Berkshire Hathaway does not pay dividends to its investors. It is also one of the few corporations with a $1 trillion market cap.
Apple Was a Big Winner
Apple became quite a profitable investment for Buffett. It closed at an adjusted $21.95 per share on Jan. 29, 2016. It closed at $259.48 per share on Jan. 30, 2026, marking a 1,082% increase. A $10,000 investment would have turned into $118,200.
Apple’s iPhone dominance and high-margin services revenue were key contributors to the long-term boom. The tech giant also maintained high demand in China for its products and continues to run substantial buybacks to generate higher returns for shareholders. Apple’s shift into artificial intelligence is another catalyst that can accelerate iPhone sales growth.
The S&P 500 Also Performed Well
Buffett often picks individual stocks, but he’s also an advocate of investors buying S&P 500 index funds. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) closed at $164.19 on Jan. 29, 2016, and it closed at $691.97 per share on Jan. 30, 2026. The exact return during this time was 321%, which would have turned a $10,000 investment into $42,100.
Many investors would have been happy with any of these returns over the past decade. The S&P 500’s performance shows that you don’t have to be a savvy investor to grow your nest egg. Index funds are valuable for many people who want exposure to stocks without having to know every little detail about various companies.
Editor’s note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Always consider your individual circumstances and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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