<prompt> Human: The other day I had met with the CEO of an investment firm, and he had told me that he holds for sometimes 10 years at a time. My only question is, how does an investor make money during the period he is holding the stock, as in the 10 years between buying and selling? He is a full time investor and does not have any other income sources. I am confused as to how one can make a living by buying a stock and waiting 10 years to collect the profit.  <response>: Dividends. And so many different holdings youre buyingselling enough to have an income stream. 