Best Performing Stocks of All Time: 10 Strategies for Long-Term Wealth

Unlocking Enduring Wealth: A Deep Dive into the Stock Market’s Best Performing Companies Across the Ages

In the dynamic landscape of financial markets, every investor, from the novice to the seasoned professional, seeks a foundational understanding: which companies consistently deliver superior returns over time? How do they achieve such remarkable feats, weathering economic storms and market shifts?

We believe that true investment wisdom lies not just in identifying fleeting trends, but in comprehending the deep-seated characteristics that foster sustained corporate success. This comprehensive analysis will guide you through the annals of market history, revealing the best performing stocks across diverse time horizons – from the innovation-driven surges of 2025 to the profound, compounding growth witnessed over nearly a century.

Our journey aims to illuminate the strategic factors that empower companies to reward shareholders through both capital appreciation and diligent dividend reinvestment. By the end, you will possess a clearer vision of what defines a truly resilient and profitable investment, empowering you to build a more robust and successful portfolio.

The Pulse of Today: 2025’s Explosive Performers and Their Catalysts

The dawn of 2025 has already presented a fascinating tapestry of market surges, driven by a confluence of technological breakthroughs, shifting consumer behaviors, and evolving geopolitical landscapes. Looking at the year-to-date (YTD) performance within the Russell 1000, we observe a clear emphasis on innovation and the resurgence of certain cyclical sectors. Have you been keeping an eye on these rapid movers?

• Robinhood (HOOD) has led the charge, delivering a staggering 151.3% return. This incredible surge isn’t merely a flash in the pan; it’s a reflection of revitalized retail trading volumes and a robust resurgence in the cryptocurrency market. As more individuals engage with digital asset exchanges and simplified trading platforms, companies like Robinhood are perfectly positioned to capitalize on this renewed enthusiasm.
• AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) has rocketed upwards with a 121.5% gain. This telecom innovator is benefiting from pivotal telecom deals and significant milestones in its satellite deployment strategy, underscoring the escalating demand for global connectivity and next-generation communication infrastructure.
• We’ve also seen strong performances from MP Materials (MP) and Avis Budget (CAR). MP Materials, a critical player in the rare earths supply chain, is riding the wave of global efforts towards supply chain reshoring and national security in critical minerals. Meanwhile, Avis Budget has enjoyed a resurgence as travel demand continues to recover and normalize post-pandemic, demonstrating the cyclical nature of certain consumer-discretionary sectors.
• Palantir (PLTR), a titan in AI infrastructure, has posted an impressive 80% gain. Its success is rooted in expanding government contracts and a strategic push into the broader enterprise market, illustrating the profound and pervasive impact of artificial intelligence on corporate and governmental operations. This is not just a technology trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how organizations operate and analyze data.

Other notable YTD performers include Cloudflare (NET), Roblox (RBLX), and Tempus AI (TEM). These companies collectively highlight the ongoing strength in AI-adjacent technologies, digital consumer platforms, and the burgeoning health tech sector. What does this tell us? It suggests that the market continues to reward disruptive technologies and platforms that enhance efficiency, connectivity, and data utilization.

Expanding our view to the last year (July 2024 – June 2025), the patterns of outperformance remain consistent. Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) soared with a 645.2% return, driven by insatiable demand for satellite launches and lucrative government contracts. Palantir Technologies (PLTR) continued its ascent with a 438.2% return, further solidifying its dominance in AI software. AppLovin (APP) posted a remarkable 320.7% gain, benefiting from a strong rebound in mobile advertising. Both Robinhood and AST SpaceMobile also delivered over 300% returns in this period, reinforcing their position as top-performing stocks. The performance across various sectors—from energy (GE Vernova) and consumer discretionary (Amer Sports) to security software (Rubrik) and gaming (Roblox)—shows a broad market recovery coupled with targeted innovation.

Mid-Term Momentum: Riding the Waves of Innovation (3-5 Years)

While short-term surges capture headlines, true wealth creation often unfolds over more extended periods. Examining the performance over the last three and five years provides crucial insights into companies demonstrating sustained growth and market leadership, often capitalizing on evolving macro trends and technological shifts. What can we learn from these consistent outperformers?

The Last 3 Years (July 2022 – June 2025): A Testament to Disruptive Technologies and Resilience

The past three years have been characterized by significant economic shifts, including inflation, interest rate hikes, and geopolitical uncertainties. Yet, certain companies have not only withstood these headwinds but have thrived, posting exponential gains. You might be surprised by some of these names:

• Strategy (MSTR) stands out with an astounding 2,360% return, equating to an annualized gain of 190.85%. This company’s strategic embrace of Bitcoin as a primary treasury reserve asset has been a central driver of its extraordinary performance, making it a unique, albeit volatile, case study in corporate asset allocation.
• Summit Therapeutics (SMMT) surged by 2,030% (177.11% annualized). This remarkable return is a direct result of critical clinical milestones and advancements in its drug pipeline, highlighting the immense potential—and risk—inherent in the biotechnology sector.
• Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT) experienced a 1,460% gain (149.98% annualized). Their success is intimately tied to the explosion in demand for AI infrastructure, particularly data center power and cooling solutions. As more companies invest in AI capabilities, the underlying infrastructure providers like Vertiv become indispensable.
• Other formidable performers over this period include Carvana (CVNA), Palantir (PLTR), and Super Micro Computer (SMCI), all delivering over 1,100% gains. Carvana’s rebound speaks to market resilience and evolving consumer preferences for online car purchasing, while Palantir and Super Micro Computer reinforce the narrative of AI’s transformative power, particularly in hardware and software supporting advanced computing.
• Not to be overlooked, NVIDIA (NVDA) and AppLovin (APP) also featured prominently among these top performers, solidifying their positions as bellwethers of the semiconductor and mobile advertising industries, respectively.

The Last 5 Years (July 2020 – June 2025): Riding Macro Cycles and Meme Mania

Extending our scope to five years offers another layer of insight, capturing periods of economic recovery, unprecedented fiscal stimulus, and the rise of retail investing phenomena. Here, we see different dynamics at play:

• Strategy Shares (STRY), related to MicroStrategy, once again outpaced all others with a staggering 3,320% gain (102.65% annualized), continuing to exemplify the potent, albeit high-risk, strategy linked to cryptocurrency exposure.
• Weatherford International (WFRD), an oilfield services company, rose an impressive 2,450% (91.18% annualized). This performance is a clear indicator of the resurgence in upstream energy activity and robust commodity cycles over the period.
• Intriguingly, GameStop (GME) also delivered a 2,150% return, a testament to the enduring, albeit somewhat diminished, “meme-era” momentum that captivated global retail investors. This highlights how market sentiment, beyond pure fundamentals, can drive significant, if speculative, gains.

The data from these mid-term horizons emphasizes that while fundamental strength is paramount, external factors like technological paradigm shifts (AI), commodity cycles, and even social phenomena (meme stocks) can dramatically influence the performance of the best performing stocks. As an investor, your ability to identify and interpret these catalysts is crucial.

The Centurions of Capital: Decoding Decade-Long Dominance

While recent and mid-term gains are exciting, the true titans of wealth creation are those companies that have delivered exceptional cumulative returns over decades, even a century. This isn’t about fleeting trends; it’s about profound, enduring business models and relentless adaptation. What makes a company a “century performer”? It’s a combination of consistent profitability, strategic leadership, and often, a commitment to shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks.

Drawing on data from the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) database, covering December 1925 to December 2023, we uncover the ultimate long-term returns champions. These are the companies that, like a wise sage, have stood the test of time, delivering unimaginable compounding returns. Imagine investing just $1 in these companies nearly a century ago. The results are truly humbling.

Altria Group (MO): The Unchallenged Dividend King

At the pinnacle of century-long performance sits Altria Group (MO), the tobacco giant. An initial $1 investment yielded an astounding $2.65 million, representing a cumulative return of 265,528,901% and an annualized return of 16.3%. This is not a typo. How did this seemingly controversial company achieve such dominance?

Altria’s success is largely attributed to its consistent focus on shareholder returns, particularly through dividends. It is a venerable “Dividend King,” having increased its dividends for 55 consecutive years. Its core products, like Marlboro cigarettes, have demonstrated remarkable pricing power and brand loyalty despite declining consumption trends. Furthermore, Altria skillfully executed several strategic spin-offs, including Kraft Heinz, Philip Morris International, and Mondelez. Each spin-off unlocked significant shareholder value, distributing shares of newly independent, robust companies to existing Altria shareholders. This multi-faceted approach, combining stable cash flows, pricing power, and strategic corporate actions, made Altria an investment powerhouse over the long run.

Vulcan Materials (VMC): Building the Foundations of Growth

Coming in strong, Vulcan Materials (VMC) saw a $1 investment grow to $393,492 (39,349,084% cumulative return, 14.1% annualized). As the largest U.S. producer of construction aggregates, concrete, asphalt, and cement, Vulcan Materials is fundamental to infrastructure development. Its extensive network of quarries and distribution centers provides a significant competitive moat, making it incredibly difficult for new entrants to replicate its scale and reach. This company benefits from consistent demand driven by urbanization, population growth, and government spending on infrastructure, embodying the principle that basic, essential industries often yield the most durable returns.

Kansas City Southern (KSU): The Power of the Rails

A $1 investment in Kansas City Southern (KSU) transformed into $361,757 (36,175,578% cumulative, 14.3% annualized). This railroad company’s strategic network across the U.S. and Mexico was a key asset. Its recent merger with Canadian Pacific created the first single-line railway connecting the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, unlocking new efficiencies and market opportunities. Railroads, often overlooked, represent critical infrastructure that enables commerce, transporting vast quantities of goods across continents. Their high barriers to entry and essential role in the economy contribute to their long-term viability and profitability.

General Dynamics (GD): Defense and Innovation in Unison

For General Dynamics (GD), $1 swelled to $220,850 (22,084,880% cumulative, 13.4% annualized). As a global aerospace and defense company, General Dynamics thrives on consistent government spending on national security and technological advancements in military hardware. From combat systems and IT solutions to business jets and submarines, GD’s diversified portfolio within the defense sector, coupled with long-term government contracts, provides a stable revenue base and continuous innovation. This illustrates the resilience of companies serving essential, non-discretionary government needs.

Boeing (BA): The Sky’s Limit, Even with Turbulence

Despite recent challenges, Boeing (BA) turned $1 into $212,206 (21,220,526% cumulative, 14.7% annualized). This global aerospace giant, a dual player in commercial and military aircraft, showcases the power of industry dominance and a duopolistic market structure (with Airbus). While recent incidents, like the 737 MAX groundings and subsequent manufacturing issues, have created significant headwinds, Boeing’s century-long performance underscores its historical role as a leading innovator and essential provider of transportation and defense platforms. Its story serves as a reminder that even industry giants can face severe tests, yet their long-term legacy of returns can still be profound.

International Business Machines (IBM): Reinvention as a Core Competency

An initial $1 in International Business Machines (IBM) grew to $175,437 (17,543,644% cumulative, 13.1% annualized). IBM’s century-long journey is a masterclass in corporate reinvention. From punch-card machines to mainframes, software, and now cloud computing and AI, IBM has continuously adapted its business model to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Its enduring commitment to research and development, combined with strategic acquisitions and a focus on enterprise solutions, allowed it to deliver substantial shareholder returns over many decades, demonstrating that true resilience comes from the ability to pivot and innovate.

Eaton Corp (ETN): Powering the Future, Quietly

Eaton Corp (ETN) transformed $1 into $151,173 (15,117,168% cumulative, 12.9% annualized). This power management company is a crucial, often unsung, player in global infrastructure. Its products and solutions manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power efficiently. With the increasing demand for energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and AI infrastructure (which requires significant power management solutions for data centers), Eaton is well-positioned for continued relevance. This highlights the value of investing in companies that provide essential, underlying technologies and services that power broader economic growth.

Other Notable Century Performers

Among the top 10 century-long performers, we also find household names like S&P Global Inc. (SPGI), Coca-Cola (KO), and PepsiCo (PEP). These companies exemplify consistent consumer brand dominance, robust cash flow generation, and the ability to maintain market leadership through effective marketing, global distribution, and strategic acquisitions. Their inclusion underscores that strong, recognizable brands providing essential goods or services can be incredibly powerful long-term investments.

These century-long examples teach us profound lessons: the immense power of compounding, the critical role of dividends, and the importance of investing in companies with enduring competitive advantages, adaptable leadership, and a commitment to creating shareholder value.

The Unseen Force: The Power of Dividends and Reinvestment

As you’ve seen with Altria Group, dividends are not just a nice-to-have; they are a significant, often underappreciated, component of long-term returns. For new investors, understanding this concept is paramount. A dividend is a distribution of a portion of a company’s earnings, decided by the board of directors, to its shareholders. It can be paid out as cash or, in many cases, reinvested to purchase more shares of the same stock.

The magic happens with dividend reinvestment. When you reinvest your dividends, you’re essentially buying more shares at the current market price. These new shares then earn their own dividends, which you can also reinvest, creating a powerful compounding effect. This snowballing growth, where earnings from your investment are automatically put back into the investment, significantly accelerates wealth accumulation over time.

Consider the consistent dividend increases from companies like Altria Group, or other Dividend Aristocrats and Kings (companies with long histories of increasing dividends). These companies provide a steady stream of income that can buffer portfolio volatility during downturns and supercharge returns during bull markets. For an investor focused on a buy-and-hold strategy, the impact of compounding through reinvested dividends can be far more substantial than capital appreciation alone, especially over multi-decade horizons.

Do you factor dividends into your investment strategy? Many experienced investors consider a company’s dividend policy and history a key indicator of its financial health and management’s commitment to shareholders.

From Fundamentals to Fortune: What Drives Sustained Outperformance?

Having explored specific examples, we can now distill the core drivers behind sustained stock outperformance. It’s rarely a single factor; rather, it’s a synergistic combination of strategic brilliance, market positioning, and operational excellence. For us, a Sage-like brand, identifying these fundamental pillars is key to your long-term success:

• Innovation and Adaptability: Companies like IBM, NVIDIA, and Palantir illustrate the critical importance of continuous innovation. They don’t just create products; they redefine industries. Crucially, they also demonstrate remarkable adaptability, pivoting their business models as technologies evolve and market demands shift. Those that fail to innovate, often fall behind.
• Market Dominance and Competitive Moats: The long-term success of Altria Group, Vulcan Materials, and Boeing stems from their deep competitive advantages—often referred to as “moats.” This could be brand power, extensive distribution networks, high barriers to entry, patented technology, or significant economies of scale. A strong moat protects a company’s profitability from competitors and allows it to maintain market leadership.
• Macroeconomic Tailwinds and Essential Services: Companies benefiting from powerful macroeconomic trends—like AI infrastructure demand (Vertiv, Super Micro Computer), critical mineral reshoring (MP Materials), or persistent government spending (General Dynamics)—often experience sustained growth. Similarly, businesses providing essential goods or services (Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Vulcan Materials) tend to be more resilient across economic cycles.
• Strategic Corporate Actions: As seen with Altria Group’s spin-offs and Kansas City Southern’s merger, strategic corporate actions can unlock significant shareholder value. These moves can streamline operations, create focused entities, or expand market reach, ultimately contributing to enhanced shareholder value.
• Consistent Profitability and Strong Cash Flow: At the heart of every long-term winner lies robust financial health. Companies that consistently generate strong profits and healthy free cash flow have the resources to invest in growth, withstand economic downturns, and reward shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.

Do you look beyond immediate share price movements to understand these deeper drivers? Focusing on these fundamental principles will empower you to identify the next generation of top-performing stocks, rather than simply chasing past performance.

Navigating the Noise: Distinguishing Speculative Surges from Solid Growth

In today’s fast-paced markets, characterized by rapid information flow and heightened retail investor activity, it’s increasingly vital to differentiate between speculative euphoria and genuine, fundamentally driven growth. How can you tell the difference?

Take, for instance, the “meme-era” phenomenon that propelled GameStop to extraordinary heights. While some investors enjoyed remarkable short-term gains, these surges were primarily driven by coordinated buying, short squeezes, and social media sentiment rather than a fundamental shift in the company’s long-term earnings potential or competitive position. Such moves often come with extreme volatility and are inherently high-risk.

In contrast, the consistent ascent of companies like NVIDIA, driven by an explosion in demand for its AI-enabling semiconductor technology, is rooted in concrete business fundamentals: burgeoning revenue, expanding profit margins, and a dominant market position in a rapidly growing industry. While its valuation may be high, the underlying drivers are tangible and measurable.

Financial advisors constantly face the challenge of helping clients contextualize these short-term market dynamics. It’s crucial to assess whether recent gains reflect sustainable fundamentals or are merely a product of speculative exuberance. This requires a disciplined approach to valuation, looking beyond current buzzwords to the underlying business strength. Are you applying this level of scrutiny to your own holdings?

Crafting Your Portfolio: Strategic Allocation and Rebalancing

Understanding the characteristics of best performing stocks is only half the battle; the other half lies in effectively managing your own investment portfolio. For both new investors and those seeking to deepen their understanding, strategic asset allocation and regular rebalancing are non-negotiable disciplines.

Your portfolio should reflect your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. This means thoughtfully deciding how much to allocate to different asset classes—stocks, bonds, real estate, and potentially other alternatives. Within stocks, it means considering a mix of growth-oriented companies (like those benefiting from AI tailwinds) and value-oriented companies (those with strong fundamentals trading at a discount), alongside stable dividend payers.

Portfolio rebalancing is the process of adjusting your portfolio periodically to maintain your desired asset allocation. For example, if your growth stocks have significantly outperformed, they might now constitute a larger percentage of your portfolio than initially intended, potentially increasing your risk exposure. Rebalancing involves selling some of these outperforming assets and reallocating the proceeds to underperforming ones, or to new strategic positions. This disciplined approach prevents your portfolio from becoming overly concentrated in one area, reducing risk and ensuring you are consistently aligning with your long-term strategy.

This process also encourages a buy-low, sell-high mentality, albeit within the framework of your strategic asset allocation, rather than chasing market momentum. It’s a proactive measure that builds resilience into your investment journey.

Beyond Stocks: Exploring Diversification and Global Markets

While this article has focused predominantly on the fascinating world of stocks and their long-term performance, a truly diversified investment strategy often extends beyond a single asset class. For sophisticated investors, or those looking to expand their horizons beyond traditional equities, exploring other global markets and financial instruments can offer additional avenues for growth and risk management. Have you considered how other markets might fit into your broader financial picture?

For instance, fixed-income instruments like bonds can provide stability and income. Real estate can offer tangible assets and rental income. And for those with a deep understanding of global macroeconomic trends, currency markets, specifically forex trading, can present unique opportunities to capitalize on exchange rate fluctuations. Similarly, Contracts for Difference (CFDs) allow traders to speculate on the price movements of various assets—including commodities, indices, and individual stocks—without owning the underlying asset.

If you’re considering beginning forex trading or wish to explore a wider range of CFD instruments, then Moneta Markets is a platform worth considering. Hailing from Australia, it offers access to over 1000 financial instruments, catering to both novice and experienced traders. Their comprehensive offering suggests they aim to provide a suitable environment for a broad spectrum of trading strategies.

When selecting a trading platform for these diverse instruments, flexibility and technological prowess are key considerations. Moneta Markets is notable for its support of industry-standard platforms such as MT4, MT5, and Pro Trader. This, combined with their commitment to high-speed execution and competitive low-spread settings, aims to provide a robust trading experience for those engaging with global markets beyond traditional stock exchanges.

Remember, while diversification across asset classes can enhance your portfolio’s resilience, each market comes with its own set of risks and requires a thorough understanding. Approach new markets with the same diligent research and careful consideration you apply to stock investing.

The Sage’s Toolkit: Essential Analytical Instruments for Investors

To effectively implement the strategies we’ve discussed, you need the right tools. Just as a craftsman relies on precision instruments, a wise investor leverages analytical tools to make informed decisions, moving beyond intuition to data-driven insights. What essential tools should be in your arsenal?

• Stock Screeners: Platforms like YCharts provide powerful stock screeners that allow you to filter companies based on specific criteria – market capitalization, revenue growth, dividend yield, valuation multiples, and historical performance across various lookback periods. This helps you identify potential top-performing stocks that fit your investment thesis.
• Valuation Tools (e.g., EV/EBITDA): Beyond simple Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratios, sophisticated valuation metrics like Enterprise Value to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) can provide a more comprehensive picture of a company’s true value, especially for capital-intensive businesses. Understanding these metrics helps you assess whether a stock’s recent gains reflect sustainable fundamentals or speculative euphoria.
• Financial Statements Analysis: A thorough review of a company’s income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement is indispensable. This allows you to understand their profitability, financial health, and ability to generate cash—the lifeblood of any business.
• Economic Data and Market News: Staying abreast of macroeconomic trends, Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, GDP reports, and industry-specific news is vital. These factors influence market sentiment, sector performance, and ultimately, individual stock prices.

Empowering yourself with these tools transforms you from a passive observer into an active, analytical participant in the markets. Are you consistently utilizing these resources in your investment process?

Embracing the Long View: Your Path to Enduring Investment Success

The journey through the best performing stocks across various timeframes reveals a profound truth: while short-term market dynamics can be driven by speculation and rapid innovation, true, enduring wealth creation stems from fundamental strength, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

The companies that dominate over decades, even a century, share common traits: they possess resilient business models, often backed by strong competitive moats; they demonstrate an unparalleled ability to innovate and adapt to changing environments; and they consistently prioritize shareholder returns, frequently through the power of compounding dividends. These are the principles we advocate for, echoing the wisdom of experienced investors.

Your role as an investor is to cultivate patience, conduct diligent research, and maintain a disciplined approach. Avoid the allure of fleeting fads and resist the urge to react emotionally to market volatility. Instead, focus on understanding the underlying businesses, their long-term potential, and their capacity to generate sustainable profits and deliver value to you, the shareholder.

By integrating the lessons from these market leaders into your own investment philosophy, and by continually educating yourself with reliable information, you can build a portfolio that not only weathers the inevitable storms but thrives over the long haul, helping you realize your financial aspirations.

Company	Cumulative Return (%)	Annualized Return (%)
Altria Group (MO)	265,528,901%	16.3%
Vulcan Materials (VMC)	39,349,084%	14.1%
Kansas City Southern (KSU)	36,175,578%	14.3%
General Dynamics (GD)	22,084,880%	13.4%
Boeing (BA)	21,220,526%	14.7%

Year	Top Performer	Return (%)
2025 YTD	Robinhood (HOOD)	151.3%
2025 YTD	AST SpaceMobile (ASTS)	121.5%
2025 YTD	Palantir (PLTR)	80%
Last Year (July 2024 – June 2025)	Rocket Lab USA (RKLB)	645.2%
Last Year (July 2024 – June 2025)	Palantir Technologies (PLTR)	438.2%

Company	Return (3Y) (%)	Annualized Return (%)
Strategy (MSTR)	2360%	190.85%
Summit Therapeutics (SMMT)	2030%	177.11%
Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT)	1460%	149.98%
Carvana (CVNA)	1100%	—
Palantir (PLTR)	1100%	—

best performing stocks of all timeFAQ

Q：What factors contribute to a company’s long-term success in the stock market?

A：A company’s long-term success is often due to innovation, market dominance, competitive moats, and consistent profitability.

Q：How important are dividends in evaluating stock performance?

A：Dividends are crucial as they provide income and can be reinvested, significantly enhancing long-term returns through compounding.

Q：What role does market sentiment play in stock price movements?

A：Market sentiment can greatly influence stock prices in the short term, often leading to volatility that may not reflect underlying fundamentals.