It's pretty hard to argue with the Dow that went from 41 in 1933 to 10,000 in 1999 - that's a 25,000% return, not including dividends (which average, I believe, about 3%, which probably what a bank deposit would have paid, so the 25,000% was really just very rich gravy...). Even if you look at a period like 1972 to 82, juicy yields on good stocks would have ensured a positive return.
Er...whatever happened to paying out the cash as dividends? If MSFT has essentially become a utility then up your payout and give shareholders a 5%+ yield.
Buy and Hold Is Alive and Well [View article]
Is Microsoft Out of Ideas? [View article]