The 10 Best Performing Stocks in the Last 25 Years
Published: September 8, 2025 | Analysis by YCharts Research Team
Introduction
Understanding which companies have stood the test of time is invaluable for advisors guiding clients through uncertain markets. That’s why we used the YCharts Stock Screener to identify the best performing stocks across key lookback periods, including year-to-date, 1, 3, 5, 10, and 25 years, across the entire Russell 1000.
Rather than focus solely on recent winners, this analysis reveals which companies consistently rewarded investors over time, whether through capital appreciation, strong fundamentals, or dividend reinvestment. These insights help advisors put short-term volatility in context while positioning for long-term growth.
From 2025’s year-to-date leaders to the stunning 25-year returns of household names like Monster Beverage and NVIDIA, here’s what advisors need to know about the stocks that delivered year after year.
Click to jump to a section:
- Best-Performing Stocks YTD
- Best-Performing Stocks in the Last Year
- Best-Performing Stocks in the Last 3 Years
- Best-Performing Stocks in the Last 5 Years
- Best-Performing Stocks in the Last 10 Years
- Best-Performing Stocks in the Last 25 Years
- What Was the Growth of $10,000 Over the Last 25 Years?
- How Would Making Regular Contributions Affect Overall Returns?
Find more context on 2025’s best performing stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds broken down by month in our May and June Top Market Movers blogs.
YCharts recently sat down with Charlie Bilello, Chief Market Strategist at Creative Planning, for an exclusive session unpacking major market and economic developments from the first half of 2025 and what they signal for the second half of the year. Framed by the key trends and metrics advisors care about most, Charlie will help you make sense of the noise and identify what’s actionable for your clients and portfolios. Watch the webinar with Charlie below:
Best Performing Stocks YTD
These are the top-performing stocks year-to-date in 2025, as of August 31, 2025. The best performing stocks of 2025 so far reflect investor conviction in critical materials, AI infrastructure, and precious metals. MP Materials Corp. (MP) dominates the Russell 1000 with an extraordinary 356.03% return year-to-date, followed by Robinhood Markets (HOOD) at 179.20%, Anglogold Ashanti (AU) at 166.15%, and Celsius Holdings (CELH) at 138.72%. The Russell 1000 overall rose just 5.42% in the same period.
MP Materials’ massive surge reflects the critical importance of rare earth elements in the EV and technology supply chain, with the company benefiting from reshoring initiatives and strategic partnerships. Robinhood’s 179% gain comes as retail trading volumes spike and the platform expands into new financial services. Anglogold Ashanti’s outperformance signals renewed investor interest in gold miners amid macroeconomic uncertainty and inflation concerns.
The emergence of AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) with 131.94% returns highlights investor enthusiasm for satellite-based cellular connectivity, while Tempus AI (TEM) at 124.70% represents the convergence of artificial intelligence and precision medicine. Roblox (RBLX) continues its momentum with 118.33% gains as the metaverse platform expands its user base and monetization capabilities.
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Q: What do these gains mean for client portfolios in 2025?
A: With year-to-date standouts concentrated in thematic growth, advisors should reexamine portfolio weightings. YCharts’ tools help assess whether clients are over leveraged in speculative positions, or missing key innovation trends altogether.
Palantir Technologies (PLTR) maintains its AI leadership position with 107.21% returns, while Newmont Corp. (NEM) at 102.02% provides additional evidence of gold sector strength. Insmed (INSM) rounds out the top performers with 97.13% gains, driven by positive clinical trial results and expanded treatment approvals.
Best Performing Stocks in the Last Year
These are the top-performing stocks between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. Over the past 12 months, the best performing stocks in the Russell 1000 delivered extraordinary returns led by space and materials plays. Rocket Lab Corp. (RKLB) absolutely dominated with a staggering 675.12% return as the company secured major launch contracts and demonstrated reusable rocket capabilities.
MP Materials Corp. (MP) surged 451.47%, capitalizing on critical mineral supply chain concerns and domestic production initiatives. Robinhood Markets (HOOD) posted 417.05% gains as the platform successfully expanded beyond retail trading into retirement accounts and crypto services. Applovin Corp. (APP) delivered 415.33% returns, benefiting from AI-powered advertising optimization and strong mobile gaming monetization.
Palantir Technologies (PLTR) continued its remarkable run with 397.81% returns, driven by expanding commercial contracts and AI platform adoption across enterprise and government sectors. Astera Labs (ALAB) emerged as a semiconductor infrastructure winner with 323.13% gains, while Reddit (RDDT) impressed in its first full year as a public company with 274.95% returns.
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Q: How should advisors respond when speculative stocks dominate performance?
A: Context matters. Use tools like the YCharts Stock Screener to assess whether recent gains reflect fundamentals or speculative euphoria. These workflows help guide client conversations and avoid emotionally driven allocation decisions.
SoFi Technologies (SOFI) gained 219.65% as the digital bank achieved profitability and expanded its member base. GE Vernova (GEV) delivered 205.55% returns, capitalizing on global energy transition and grid modernization demands. Amer Sports (AS) rounded out the top ten with 188.06% gains following strong performance across its outdoor and athletic brands portfolio.
Best Performing Stocks in the Last 3 Years
These are the top-performing stocks between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2025. Long-term outperformers over the past three years have delivered extraordinary gains, with Palantir Technologies (PLTR) leading the Russell 1000 with an exceptional 1929.92% return. This represents a complete transformation for the data analytics company as it expanded from government contracts into commercial AI applications.
Summit Therapeutics (SMMT) followed closely with 1875.00% returns, driven by breakthrough clinical trial results in its oncology pipeline. Applovin Corp. (APP) delivered 1843.12% gains as its AI-powered advertising platform revolutionized mobile app monetization. MicroStrategy (MSTR) posted 1344.16% returns, benefiting from its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy and crypto market recovery.
NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA) maintained its AI dominance with 1056.60% total returns, while Carvana Co. (CVNA) staged a remarkable comeback with 1027.37% gains after near-bankruptcy concerns in 2022. Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT) capitalized on data center infrastructure demand with 1009.83% returns.
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Q: Are triple-digit returns a sign to buy or a reason to pause?
A: Not always. Advisors should combine price return analysis with valuation tools like the YCharts EV/EBITDA chart to assess whether future upside is priced in. Past performance is a signal, but valuation clarity ensures better decision-making.
Robinhood Markets (HOOD) delivered 989.32% as it transformed from meme-stock platform to comprehensive financial services provider. FTAI Aviation Ltd. (FTAI) soared 893.24% on strong aircraft leasing demand, while Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) returned 798.97% as cruise travel rebounded to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
Best Performing Stocks in the Last 5 Years
These are the top-performing stocks between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2025. Over a five-year horizon, MicroStrategy (MSTR) dominated all competitors with 2215.22% returns, driven by its transformation into a de facto Bitcoin holding company and the cryptocurrency’s appreciation. Weatherford International (WFRD) delivered an astounding 2043.10% total return as the oilfield services company successfully restructured and capitalized on the energy sector recovery.
Permian Resources Corp. (PR) posted 2081.70% gains, benefiting from strategic Permian Basin acquisitions and strong oil production growth. Dillard’s Inc. (DDS) surprised with 2092.51% returns, defying retail apocalypse predictions through disciplined inventory management and real estate value optimization.
Super Micro Computer Inc. (SMCI) rode the AI infrastructure wave to 1416.61% returns, though faced volatility from accounting concerns. Comfort Systems USA (FIX) delivered 1323.63% as HVAC and building automation demand soared with data center construction and infrastructure modernization.
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Q: How can I verify if long-term stock performance is sustainable?
A: Use the YCharts Fundamental Chart to overlay multi-year price returns with valuation metrics like P/E ratio or earnings growth. This reveals whether strong performance aligns with fundamentals or sentiment-driven volatility.
GameStop Corp. (GME) maintained its meme-stock gains with 1241.92% returns despite fundamental challenges. NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA) delivered 1206.55% as it became the backbone of the AI revolution. Carpenter Technology Corp. (CRS) gained 1145.85% on aerospace and defense specialty metals demand, while FTAI Aviation Ltd. (FTAI) posted 1279.26% returns from aircraft engine leasing expansion.
Best Performing Stocks in the Last 10 Years
These are the top-performing stocks between September 1, 2015 and August 31, 2025. The past decade’s best performers showcase the transformative power of technological innovation and market disruption. NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA) absolutely dominated with an unprecedented 31,776.39% total return, transforming from a graphics card company to the AI revolution’s primary enabler.
Celsius Holdings Inc. (CELH) delivered 9776.43% returns as the energy drink maker successfully challenged established giants with its fitness-focused positioning. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) posted 8885.08% gains, capitalizing on Intel’s missteps and gaining substantial market share in CPUs and data center processors.
Axon Enterprise Inc. (AXON) returned 3093.55% as law enforcement technology adoption accelerated with body cameras and cloud evidence management. Arista Networks Inc. (ANET) gained 2821.25% by dominating high-speed data center switching infrastructure.
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Q: Are these long-term leaders still investable today?
A: That depends on their current valuation. Advisors can use YCharts’ Stock Screener to filter top-returning names and apply valuation filters (e.g. P/E, PEG) to identify whether strong returns are supported by fundamentals or priced for perfection.
Comfort Systems USA (FIX) delivered 2614.89% total returns from HVAC and building automation demand. Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) gained 2953.75% through strategic semiconductor and software acquisitions. Texas Pacific Land Corp. (TPL) returned 2520.18% from oil and gas royalties in the Permian Basin. Leonardo DRS Inc. (DRS) posted 2041.01% on defense technology contracts, while Tesla Inc. (TSLA) delivered 1910.78% as it revolutionized the automotive industry and achieved sustained profitability.
Best Performing Stocks in the Last 25 Years
These are the top-performing stocks between September 1, 2000 and August 31, 2025. Over a 25-year stretch, time separates the extraordinary from the average. Monster Beverage Corp. (MNST) reigns supreme with an astounding 116,689.55% total return, transforming a $10,000 investment into over $11 million through strategic brand building and distribution expansion.
NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA) delivered 57,324.24% total returns, evolving from a gaming graphics company to powering the world’s AI infrastructure. Deckers Outdoor Corp. (DECK) returned 39,463.49%, building UGG into a global lifestyle brand and successfully launching HOKA running shoes.
Tractor Supply Co. (TSCO) gained 46,053.05% by dominating rural lifestyle retail, while Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. (ODFL) delivered 38,431.72% through superior less-than-truckload shipping execution. Texas Pacific Land Corp. (TPL) posted 44,768.55% returns from perpetual oil and gas royalties in the Permian Basin.
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Q: Should clients care about performance from 20+ years ago?
A: Yes, but not for stock picking. Use these examples to reinforce the power of compounding and staying invested. Visuals showing long-term CAGR can support behaviorally sound planning conversations with clients.
Tyler Technologies Inc. (TYL) returned 25,602.28% by providing software solutions to local governments. Apple Inc. (AAPL) delivered 25,278.04% total returns, revolutionizing multiple industries from computers to phones to wearables. O’Reilly Automotive Inc. (ORLY) gained 20,298.08% through disciplined auto parts retail expansion, while AutoZone Inc. (AZO) returned 18,560.13% with its DIY auto parts dominance and aggressive share buyback program.
What Was the Growth of $10,000 Over the Last 25 Years?
If you invested $10,000 25 years ago into any of the ten best-performing stocks over the last 25 years, your balance today would be in the millions of dollars.
The best-performing stock in the last 25 years was Monster Beverage (MNST). A $10,000 investment into Monster Beverage 25 years ago would be worth $11.68 million today. Right behind it is NVIDIA (NVDA); $10,000 invested into NVIDIA back in 2000 would’ve turned into $5.266 million today, or $5.743 million after dividend reinvestment.
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How Would Making Regular Contributions Affect Overall Returns?
Using NVIDIA (NVDA), the world’s most valuable company and second-best performer over the last 25 years–as an example, contributing $100 each month since September 2000 would’ve equaled a net total contribution of $30,000, with a total return of $13.03 million.
If the monthly contribution was $250 each month ($75,000 total), the net balance after those 25 years would be over $32 million today.
Though total returns achieved via monthly contributions over the 25 year time horizon wouldn’t have been as large as an upfront lump-sum investment, tools like Scenarios illustrate the importance of “staying the course” as an equity investment strategy to clients.
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Though total returns achieved via monthly contributions over the 25 year time horizon wouldn’t have been as large as an upfront lump-sum investment, tools like Scenarios illustrate the importance of “staying the course” as an equity investment strategy to clients.
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