Top 10 Best-Performing Stocks Over the Last 30 Years

Investing in the stock market can be both exhilarating and rewarding, especially when selecting stocks with the potential to deliver outstanding long-term returns. While some investors enjoy the thrill of short-term trading, most are focused on building a portfolio that will grow steadily over time, ultimately improving their financial security and quality of life in retirement. To provide some insight into which stocks have historically performed well, Charlie Bilello, chief market strategist at Creative Planning, recently compiled a list of the 10 best-performing stocks in the market over the past 30 years. Although past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, these stocks have shown remarkable growth and may offer valuable lessons for investors aiming to identify top stocks for the next 30 years.

Summary 

1. Nvidia Corp. (NVDA)

2. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)

3. Monster Beverage Corp. (MNST)

4. NVR Inc. (NVR)

5. Apple Inc. (AAPL)

6. Netflix Inc. (NFLX)

7. Pool Corp. (POOL)

8. Axon Enterprise Inc. (AXON)

9. Biogen Inc. (BIIB)

10. Altria Group Inc. (MO)

1. Nvidia Corp. (NVDA)

– 30-year total return: 322,185%

– Growth of $10,000: $32,228,453

 – Nvidia, a leader in high-end chip production for personal computers, smartphones, AI, and other applications, has delivered an impressive 322,185% return since going public in 1999. A $10,000 investment back then would now be worth over $32 million, driven by trends in AI, cloud computing, and autonomous vehicles.

2. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)

– 30-year total return: 249,208%

– Growth of $10,000: $24,930,785

– Amazon’s transformation from an online bookstore to a $1.8 trillion marketplace and cloud services leader has resulted in a 249,208% return since its 1997 IPO. A $10,000 investment in Amazon at the time of its IPO would now be valued at nearly $25 million.

3. Monster Beverage Corp. (MNST)

– 30-year total return: 164,539%

– Growth of $10,000: $16,463,861

– Monster Beverage, best known for its energy drinks, has been a quiet but powerful performer since its 1995 IPO. A partnership with Coca-Cola has helped the company generate a return of 164,539% over the past 29 years, turning a $10,000 investment into over $16 million.

4. NVR Inc. (NVR)

– 30-year total return: 140,431%

– Growth of $10,000: $14,053,114

– NVR, one of the largest U.S. homebuilders, has grown steadily since its 1993 IPO. A $10,000 investment in NVR 30 years ago would now be worth $14 million, reflecting the company’s consistent performance and strong returns.

5. Apple Inc. (AAPL)

– 30-year total return: 88,807%

– Growth of $10,000: $8,890,734

– Apple’s continuous innovation and transition from hardware sales to services revenue have made it a dominant player in the tech industry. Over the past 30 years, Apple has generated an 88,807% return, turning a $10,000 investment into nearly $9 million.

6. Netflix Inc. (NFLX)

– 30-year total return: 58,273%

– Growth of $10,000: $5,837,319

– Netflix’s evolution from a DVD rental service to one of the world’s largest media companies has resulted in a 58,273% return since its 2002 IPO. A $10,000 investment in Netflix at that time would now be worth over $5.8 million.

7. Pool Corp. (POOL)

– 30-year total return: 56,328%

– Growth of $10,000: $5,642,835

– As the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies and related products, Pool Corp. has generated a 56,328% return over the past 30 years. Despite recent challenges, a $10,000 investment in 1993 would still be worth over $5.6 million today.

8. Axon Enterprise Inc. (AXON)

– 30-year total return: 56,082%

– Growth of $10,000: $5,618,189

– Axon, formerly known as TASER International, provides law enforcement with hardware and cloud-based software solutions. Since its 2001 IPO, Axon has delivered a 56,082% return, transforming a $10,000 investment into more than $5.6 million.

9. Biogen Inc. (BIIB)

– 30-year total return: 50,397%

– Growth of $10,000: $5,049,745

– Biogen, a biopharmaceutical company focused on neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, has generated a 50,397% return since its 1991 IPO. Despite recent challenges, a $10,000 investment 30 years ago would still be worth over $5 million today.

10. Altria Group Inc. (MO)

– 30-year total return: 49,365%

– Growth of $10,000: $4,946,468

– Altria, a tobacco giant, has faced significant public relations and regulatory challenges but has still managed to deliver a 49,365% return over the past 30 years. A $10,000 investment in 1994 would now be worth nearly $5 million, bolstered by a substantial dividend yield.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1. Are these stocks guaranteed to perform well in the future?   

A.1. No, past performance does not guarantee future results. While these stocks have delivered exceptional returns over the past 30 years, future performance will depend on various factors, including market conditions, company innovation, and global economic trends.

Q.2. Is it better to invest in individual stocks or a diversified portfolio?

A.2. While individual stocks can offer high returns, they also come with higher risk. A diversified portfolio that includes a mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets can help reduce risk while still providing the potential for growth.

Q.3. How can I identify the next high-performing stocks?

A.3. Look for companies with strong fundamentals, innovative products or services, and growth potential in emerging industries. Staying informed about market trends and conducting thorough research can help in identifying potential winners.

Q.4. What is the best time to invest in stocks?

A.4. Timing the market is challenging, and it’s often better to focus on long-term investing. Dollar-cost averaging, where you invest a fixed amount regularly, can help reduce the impact of market volatility.

Q.5. Should I reinvest dividends or take them as cash?

A.5. Reinvesting dividends can help compound your returns over time, leading to potentially higher overall growth. However, taking dividends as cash can provide a source of income, depending on your financial goals.

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Investing in the stock market requires patience, research, and a long-term perspective. The 10 stocks highlighted in this list have demonstrated exceptional performance over the past 30 years, turning relatively modest investments into substantial sums. While past success doesn’t guarantee future gains, these companies provide valuable lessons in innovation, adaptability, and growth. By focusing on solid fundamentals and staying informed, investors can position themselves to potentially identify the next generation of high-performing stocks and build a portfolio that supports their financial goals for the long term.

Important Note: Please Read Before You Invest

We're just sharing some helpful tips, but remember, investing comes with risks. We can't promise that these tips will always work or that you'll make money. Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's smart to do your research or talk to a financial advisor before you invest. Using these tips, you agree that you're responsible for your investment decisions and results.