Investing in the stock market can yield impressive returns, particularly when you select stocks with robust long-term performance. In this blog, we delve into the 10 best-performing stocks in the last 25 years, as analyzed from the Russell 1000. This period from April 2, 1999, to April 2, 2024, showcases the transformative growth of companies that have outperformed significantly. Let’s explore these stocks, their growth, and what it means for investors.
| Ticker | Name | 25Y Price Return | 25Y Total Return | Market Cap |
| MNST | Monster Beverage Corp | 138536.31% | 138536.31% | $58.98B |
| DECK | Deckers Outdoor Corp | 117084.92% | 117084.92% | $23.32B |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | 104647.79% | 114072.42% | $2.25T |
| AAPL | Apple Inc | 52367.96% | 61880.52% | $2.63T |
| ODFL | Old Dominion Freight Line Inc | 44766.66% | 46010.63% | $47.93B |
| MIDD | The Middleby Corp | 23152.99% | 23892.68% | $8.26B |
| CLH | Clean Harbors Inc | 23064.44% | 23064.44% | $10.62B |
| ANSS | Ansys Inc | 19039.60% | 19039.60% | $30.27B |
| NVR | NVR Inc | 18625.25% | 18625.25% | $25.22B |
| TPL | Texas Pacific Land Corp | 17344.24% | 22260.03% | $13.40B |
Best Performing Stocks in the Last 25 Years
1. Monster Beverage Corp (MNST)
- Ticker: MNST
- 25Y Price Return: 138,536.31%
- Market Cap: $58.98B
Company Background: Monster Beverage Corporation, originally known as Hansen’s Natural, was founded in 1935. The company shifted focus from natural sodas to energy drinks, launching the Monster Energy brand in 2002.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: The introduction of Monster Energy skyrocketed sales and market presence.
- Downs: Faced regulatory scrutiny and health concerns over energy drink consumption.
2. Deckers Outdoor Corp (DECK)
- Ticker: DECK
- 25Y Price Return: 117,084.92%
- Market Cap: $23.32B
Company Background: Deckers Outdoor Corporation, founded in 1973, is best known for its UGG brand of boots, introduced in 1978. The company’s diverse portfolio includes Teva and Hoka One One.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: UGG’s popularity surge in the early 2000s significantly boosted revenue.
- Downs: Faced challenges with fluctuating fashion trends and seasonal demand.
3. NVIDIA Corp (NVDA)
- Ticker: NVDA
- 25Y Price Return: 104,647.79%
- Market Cap: $2.25T
Company Background: NVIDIA, founded in 1993, revolutionized graphics processing with its GPUs. The company expanded into AI, data centers, and autonomous vehicles, solidifying its market dominance.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: Pioneering GPU technology and AI developments drove substantial growth.
- Downs: Market volatility and competition posed periodic challenges.
4. Apple Inc (AAPL)
- Ticker: AAPL
- 25Y Price Return: 52,367.96%
- Market Cap: $2.63T
Company Background: Apple Inc., founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, has transformed consumer electronics with the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: Innovative products like the iPhone and iPad revolutionized the tech industry.
- Downs: Leadership changes and market competition led to fluctuating performance.
5. Old Dominion Freight Line Inc (ODFL)
- Ticker: ODFL
- 25Y Price Return: 44,766.66%
- Market Cap: $47.93B
Company Background: Founded in 1934, Old Dominion Freight Line is a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carrier, known for its superior service and expansive network.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: Consistent operational efficiency and network expansion bolstered growth.
- Downs: Economic downturns impacted freight volumes and profitability.
6. The Middleby Corp (MIDD)
- Ticker: MIDD
- 25Y Price Return: 23,152.99%
- Market Cap: $8.26B
Company Background: Middleby Corporation, founded in 1888, specializes in commercial kitchen equipment. The company’s acquisitions strategy has diversified its product offerings.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: Strategic acquisitions expanded its market presence and product lines.
- Downs: Integration challenges and market saturation posed hurdles.
7. Clean Harbors Inc (CLH)
- Ticker: CLH
- 25Y Price Return: 23,064.44%
- Market Cap: $10.62B
Company Background: Founded in 1980, Clean Harbors is a leading provider of environmental, energy, and industrial services, focusing on hazardous waste management.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: Growth in environmental regulations increased demand for its services.
- Downs: Regulatory compliance costs and market competition impacted margins.
8. Ansys Inc (ANSS)
- Ticker: ANSS
- 25Y Price Return: 19,039.60%
- Market Cap: $30.27B
Company Background: Ansys, founded in 1970, develops engineering simulation software used across various industries for product design and testing.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: Expansion into diverse industries and continuous innovation fueled growth.
- Downs: Competition and economic slowdowns occasionally affected performance.
9. NVR Inc (NVR)
- Ticker: NVR
- 25Y Price Return: 18,625.25%
- Market Cap: $25.22B
Company Background: NVR, Inc., founded in 1980, is a leading homebuilder in the United States, operating under the Ryan Homes, NVHomes, and Heartland Homes brands.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: Strategic land acquisition and efficient operations drove profitability.
- Downs: Housing market volatility and economic recessions posed challenges.
10. Texas Pacific Land Corp (TPL)
- Ticker: TPL
- 25Y Price Return: 17,344.24%
- Market Cap: $13.40B
Company Background: Texas Pacific Land Corporation, founded in 1888, manages land and resource rights in Texas, focusing on oil, gas, and water services.
Notable Ups and Downs:
- Ups: Rising oil prices and resource demand significantly boosted revenue.
- Downs: Commodity price fluctuations and regulatory changes impacted performance.
What Was the Growth of $10,000 Over the Last 25 Years?
To illustrate the power of long-term investing, consider this: If you invested $10,000 in any of these stocks 25 years ago, your returns today would be staggering. For instance, a $10,000 investment in Monster Beverage Corp (MNST) would be worth approximately $13.86 million today.
| Ticker | Name | 25Y Price Growth | 25Y Total Return |
| MNST | Monster Beverage Corp | $13.86 million | $13.86 million |
| DECK | Deckers Outdoor Corp | $11.72 million | $11.72 million |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | $10.47 million | $11.42 million |
| AAPL | Apple Inc | $5.25 million | $6.20 million |
| ODFL | Old Dominion Freight Line | $4.49 million | $4.61 million |
| MIDD | The Middleby Corp | $2.33 million | $2.40 million |
| CLH | Clean Harbors Inc | $2.32 million | $2.32 million |
| ANSS | Ansys Inc | $1.91 million | $1.91 million |
| NVR | NVR Inc | $1.87 million | $1.83 million |
| TPL | Texas Pacific Land Corp | $1.74 million | $2.24 million |
How Would Making Regular Contributions Affect Overall Returns?
Using Apple (AAPL) as an example, contributing $100 each month since April 1999 would’ve equaled a net total contribution of $30,000, with a total return of $3.9 million.
- Monthly contribution: $100
- Total contribution: $30,000
- Total return: $3.9 million
Growth Chart of Apple (AAPL) Stock with Monthly Contributions
Conclusion
Investing in the stock market can be a lucrative long-term strategy, especially when focusing on companies with consistent growth and market innovation. The ten best-performing stocks over the last 25 years highlight the importance of identifying industry leaders and staying invested through market fluctuations.
Also read: Best Stocks to Invest in India 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
FAQs
Are these shares suitable for conservative investors?
Not all shares are created equal! Some are perfect for traditional investors due to their stability and consistent performance. Speak to a financial advisor to align your investments with your goals and risk tolerance.
How should I allocate funds among these 10 best long-term stocks?
The best strategy is to diversify your investment across multiple sectors and companies. Consider your risk appetite, investment goals, and stock performance before parking your funds.
How often should I review my long-term investment portfolio?
You must check your portfolio quarterly or semi-annually. It allows you to assess the performance of your assets and make any necessary adjustments.
Disclaimer: Please don’t make your investment decisions just based on the target prices on this site. They are only guesses. Investing in stocks always has risks. The info here is just to help you learn and speculate and isn’t financial advice. All investments can lead to gains or losses, and nothing is sure. We aren’t responsible for any money you might lose from the info on this site. Always do your own research before investing.
