The 10 Best Performing Stocks in the Last 25 Years
Published: September 26, 2023 / Updated November 2, 2026
Analysis by YCharts Research Team
Introduction
What does it take for a stock to deliver exceptional returns?
From breakthrough innovations to shifting market trends, the market’s biggest winners often share a compelling story. In this article, we explore the best-performing stocks across the entire Russell 1000 over lookback periods of year-to-date 1, 3, 5, 10, and 25 years, examining their historical returns and the factors that helped drive their growth.
On a YTD performance basis, higher oil prices brought three energy sector names onto the list of best-performing stocks in 2026 so far, through October. The majority of best performing stocks over both the last year and three years hail from the information technology sector, largely due to advances in AI technologies for both hardware and software platforms alike. Finally, three of the best performers over the last 25 years have market capitalizations in the trillions of dollars, demonstrating the effects of sustained fundamental success over the long-term. However, because the Russell 1000 index tracks performance of the largest 1,000 companies listed on U.S. exchanges, stocks with market caps in as low as the single billion dollar range can emerge as best performers just as quickly, as seen on the lists of best-performing stocks below.
Whether you’re researching market leaders or seeking insights to inform client conversations, these standout performers, identified using the YCharts Stock Screener, offer a valuable perspective on the forces that shape investment performance.
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 in the Best Performers Over the Last 25 Years?
- How Does Making Regular Contributions Affect Overall Investment Returns?
- FAQs
For a look at the best performers with a dividend focus, check out our analysis on the Best Performing Dividend Stocks.
Best Performing Stocks YTD
These are the top-performing stocks year-to-date in 2026, as of October 31, 2026. Moderna (MRNA) claimed the best-performing stock YTD in 2026 through October largely thanks to its intismeran autogene (mRNA-4157) meeting a late-stage melanoma objective, which resulted in a one-day surge of 177% on August 19th. Shares of the vaccine manufacturer posted a single-day gain of 12.5% on October 9 after it was reported that the National Institutes of Health is part of a public-private partnership to accelerate the development of cancer vaccines. Moderna also experienced a 25% selloff on October 22nd after data for its full Phase 3 INTerpath-001 melanoma program was leaked two days ahead of the company’s scheduled presentation at the ESMO Congress 2026. Though the program results came in slightly below the very high expectations the stock had priced in, the data still confirmed a clinically meaningful advance, and Moderna stock ultimately ended the month of October up 15.1%.
Sandisk Corp (SNDK) had risen 633% in 2026 through September 30, but a plummet of 33.9% in October stemming from analyst price target cuts, concerns about memory pricing nearing a cyclical peak, and a sharp post-earnings drop saw its YTD return brought down to 384.83% through October 31. Energy companies Marathon Petroleum (MPC), HF Sinclair (DINO) and Valero Energy (VLO) landed on the YTD best performers list having benefitted from record refining margins and higher oil prices due to reduced supply resulting from the ongoing conflict in Iran and constrained transportation through the strait of Hormuz.
| Ticker | Name | YTD Price Return | YTD Total Return | Market Cap | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRNA | Moderna, Inc. | 651.85% | 651.85% | 88.47B | Health Care |
| SNDK | Sandisk Corp. | 384.83% | 384.83% | 168.03B | Information Technology |
| DELL | Dell Technologies, Inc. | 237.07% | 240.66% | 271.55B | Information Technology |
| MU | Micron Technology, Inc. | 209.99% | 210.23% | 1.001T | Information Technology |
| RNG | RingCentral, Inc. | 181.93% | 183.46% | 6.88B | Information Technology |
| MPC | Marathon Petroleum Corp. | 173.46% | 176.66% | 125.86B | Energy |
| IRDM | Iridium Communications, Inc. | 158.40% | 161.64% | 4.77B | Communication Services |
| DINO | HF Sinclair Corp. | 149.57% | 155.17% | 19.88B | Energy |
| VLO | Valero Energy Corp. | 145.51% | 149.21% | 111.46B | Energy |
| OKTA | Okta, Inc. | 140.82% | 140.82% | 36.40B | Information Technology |
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The following chart shows the price growth of the 10 best-performing stocks in 2026, through October 31, 2026:
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Best Performing Stocks in the Last Year
These are the top-performing stocks between November 1, 2025 and October 31, 2026. Though this list overlaps with the best-performing stocks YTD, one notable performer over the last 12 months is Lumentum Holdings (LITE). Lumentum Holdings’s run in the last year can be attributed to the company being at the center of the AI infrastructure buildout, making the lasers and optical components used by AI hyperscalers. The company reported revenue of $1.01 billion in its fiscal fourth quarter, a 109.3% year-over-year increase. Similarly, Dell Technologies (DELL) has been betting big on AI infrastructure, reinventing itself from once being a legacy PC and server maker to becoming the go-to infrastructure provider for the AI era. In Q2 FY2027, Dell reported a 58% YoY increase in revenue to $47 billion–with $16.4 billion from AI server revenue alone–and a $95 billion order backlog on its books.
| Ticker | Name | 1Y Price Return | 1Y Total Return | Market Cap | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRNA | Moderna, Inc. | 716.35% | 716.35% | 88.47B | Health Care |
| SNDK | Sandisk Corp. | 477.38% | 477.38% | 168.03B | Information Technology |
| LITE | Lumentum Holdings, Inc. | 317.10% | 317.10% | 74.49B | Information Technology |
| MU | Micron Technology, Inc. | 295.38% | 295.84% | 1.001T | Information Technology |
| RVMD | Revolution Medicines, Inc. | 225.14% | 225.14% | 40.99B | Health Care |
| RNG | RingCentral, Inc. | 170.32% | 171.79% | 6.877B | Information Technology |
| DELL | Dell Technologies, Inc. | 161.90% | 164.69% | 271.55B | Information Technology |
| WDC | Western Digital Corp. | 143.73% | 144.19% | 136.93B | Information Technology |
| SN | SharkNinja, Inc. | 143.27% | 143.27% | 29.31B | Consumer Discretionary |
| VLO | Valero Energy Corp. | 135.70% | 140.84% | 111.46B | Energy |
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The following chart shows the price growth of the 10 best-performing stocks in the last 12 months, through October 31, 2026:
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Best Performing Stocks in the Last 3 Years
These are the top-performing stocks between November 1, 2023 and October 31, 2026. Lumentum Holdings is the best-performing stock over the last three years, and the only one to have gained more than 2,000% in that time frame. Entering this list in October is Palantir Technologies (PLTR). Palantir’s 1,144% three-year return has come largely from building AI and data analysis infrastructure for governments, generating defensible government contracts and providing a commercial AI platform with explosive adoption.
| Ticker | Name | 3Y Price Return | 3Y Total Return | Market Cap | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LITE | Lumentum Holdings, Inc. | 2044.10% | 2044.10% | 74.49B | Information Technology |
| BE | Bloom Energy Corp. | 1853.56% | 1853.56% | 60.04B | Industrials |
| ALM | Almonty Industries, Inc. | 1454.29% | 1454.29% | 2.51B | Materials |
| MU | Micron Technology, Inc. | 1223.07% | 1236.01% | 1.001T | Information Technology |
| RKLB | Rocket Lab Corp. | 1193.85% | 1193.85% | 32.74B | Industrials |
| CVNA | Carvana Co. | 1164.63% | 1164.63% | 49.29B | Consumer Discretionary |
| PLTR | Palantir Technologies, Inc. | 1143.99% | 1143.99% | 442.40B | Information Technology |
| ASTS | AST SpaceMobile, Inc. | 1137.76% | 1137.76% | 12.28B | Communication Services |
| WDC | Western Digital Corp. | 1106.76% | 1112.57% | 136.93B | Information Technology |
| CRDO | Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd. | 961.81% | 961.81% | 28.35B | Information Technology |
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The following chart shows the price growth of the 10 best-performing stocks in the last three years, through October 31, 2026:
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Best Performing Stocks in the Last 5 Years
These are the top-performing stocks between November 1, 2021 and October 31, 2026. Powell Industries (POWL), Sterling Infrastructure (STRL), Comfort Systems USA (FIX), Modine Manufacturing (MOD), and Micron Technology (MU) have consistently appeared as top performers over the last five years month-to-month. Aerospace, defense, medical, and energy component manufacturer ATI Inc (ATI) along with technology hardware manufacturers Super Micro Computer (SMCI) and Western Digital Corp (WDC) are new entrants to this list.
| Ticker | Name | 5Y Price Return | 5Y Total Return | Market Cap | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWL | Powell Industries, Inc. | 1712.76% | 1863.09% | 5.693B | Industrials |
| STRL | Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. | 1338.89% | 1338.89% | 10.58B | Industrials |
| FIX | Comfort Systems USA, Inc. | 1247.61% | 1275.53% | 43.14B | Industrials |
| MOD | Modine Manufacturing Co. | 1181.25% | 1181.25% | 6.890B | Industrials |
| MU | Micron Technology, Inc. | 1180.38% | 1211.61% | 1.001T | Information Technology |
| ATI | ATI, Inc. | 928.51% | 928.51% | 22.55B | Industrials |
| LITE | Lumentum Holdings, Inc. | 918.04% | 918.04% | 74.49B | Information Technology |
| FTI | TechnipFMC plc | 833.11% | 852.65% | 27.01B | Energy |
| SMCI | Super Micro Computer, Inc. | 831.05% | 831.05% | 21.64B | Information Technology |
| WDC | Western Digital Corp. | 826.59% | 831.05% | 136.93B | Information Technology |
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The following chart shows the price growth of the 10 best-performing stocks in the last five years, through October 31, 2026:
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Best Performing Stocks in the Last 10 Years
These are the top-performing stocks between November 1, 2016 and October 31, 2026. The best-performing stock over the last 10 years is Aura Minerals (AUGO), followed by Applied Digital Corp (APLD) and NVIDIA (NVDA). As a gold miner, Aura Minerals has been a major beneficiary of rising gold prices (the price of gold tripled over the last decade), displaying consistent operational execution across a growing portfolio of mines in the Americas and conducting strategic acquisitions and mine expansions that have multiplied production volumes.
| Ticker | Name | 10Y Price Return | 10Y Total Return | Market Cap | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUGO | Aura Minerals, Inc. | 70850.25% | 90749.29% | 55.52B | Materials |
| APLD | Applied Digital Corp. | 15693.44% | 15693.44% | 52.92B | Information Technology |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp. | 11403.09% | 11621.52% | 4.941T | Information Technology |
| AMD | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | 6882.02% | 6882.02% | 823.83B | Information Technology |
| MU | Micron Technology, Inc. | 5055.83% | 5189.04% | 1.001T | Information Technology |
| NTRA | Natera, Inc. | 4785.61% | 4785.61% | 59.50B | Health Care |
| STRL | Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. | 4651.51% | 4651.51% | 10.58B | Industrials |
| CELH | Celsius Holdings, Inc. | 4268.00% | 4268.00% | 7.377B | Consumer Staples |
| FIX | Comfort Systems USA, Inc. | 4172.65% | 4440.40% | 43.14B | Industrials |
| ALM | Almonty Industries, Inc. | 3393.98% | 3393.98% | 2.507B | Materials |
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The following chart shows the price growth of the 10 best-performing stocks in the last ten years, through October 31, 2026:
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Best Performing Stocks in the Last 25 Years
These are the top-performing stocks between November 1, 2001 and October 31, 2026. The best-performing stock over the last 25 years is Monster Beverage (MNST), with mega-cap “Magnificent Seven” companies Apple (AAPL), Amazon.com (AMZN), and NVIDIA (NVDA) among the top five performers in the 25 years since November 2001.
| Ticker | Name | 25Y Price Return | 25Y Total Return | Market Cap | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MNST | Monster Beverage Corp. | 230007.42% | 230007.42% | 92.74B | Consumer Staples |
| AAPL | Apple, Inc. | 109804.93% | 131140.35% | 5.035T | Information Technology |
| AMZN | Amazon.com, Inc. | 68768.19% | 68768.19% | 2.592T | Consumer Discretionary |
| LNG | Cheniere Energy, Inc. | 65309.90% | 68649.83% | 67.75B | Energy |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp. | 57195.33% | 62529.77% | 4.941T | Information Technology |
| AXON | Axon Enterprise, Inc. | 53707.55% | 53707.55% | 34.75B | Industrials |
| FIX | Comfort Systems USA, Inc. | 43923.57% | 54914.98% | 43.14B | Industrials |
| TPL | Texas Pacific Land Corp. | 39281.54% | 49477.68% | 22.88B | Energy |
| DECK | Deckers Outdoor Corp. | 37452.73% | 37452.73% | 11.21B | Consumer Discretionary |
| ODFL | Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | 32017.09% | 33445.92% | 35.80B | Industrials |
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What Was the Growth of $10,000 in the Best Performers 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 $23 million today. Right behind it is Apple (AAPL); $10,000 invested into AAPL in November 2001 would’ve turned into $10.99 million today, or $13.12 million after dividend reinvestment.
| Ticker | Name | 25Y Price Growth | 25Y Total Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| MNST | Monster Beverage Corp. | $23.01 million | $23.01 million |
| AAPL | Apple, Inc. | $10.99 million | $13.12 million |
| AMZN | Amazon.com, Inc. | $6.887 million | $6.887 million |
| LNG | Cheniere Energy, Inc. | $6.541 million | $6.875 million |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp. | $5.730 million | $6.263 million |
| AXON | Axon Enterprise, Inc. | $5.381 million | $5.381 million |
| FIX | Comfort Systems USA, Inc. | $4.402 million | $5.501 million |
| TPL | Texas Pacific Land Corp. | $3.938 million | $4.958 million |
| DECK | Deckers Outdoor Corp. | $3.755 million | $3.755 million |
| ODFL | Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | $3.212 million | $3.355 million |
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How Does Making Regular Contributions Affect Overall Investment Returns?
Using NVIDIA (NVDA)–one of the world’s most valuable companies and best performers over the last 25 years–as an example, contributing $100 each month since November 2001 would’ve equaled a net total contribution of $30,000, with a total return of $14.11 million.
If the monthly contribution was $250 each month ($75,000 total), the net balance after those 25 years would be $35.27 million today.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What was the methodology behind finding the best-performing stocks over these time periods?
The YCharts Stock Screener was used to find the best-performing Russell 1000 stocks over the last year, three years, five years, ten years, and 25 years, as well as the best performers YTD. The stock screener narrowed the entire universe of over 39,000 equities to just those within the Russell 1000 index. Then, the Russell 1000 stocks were sorted by price returns in descending order for each time period, and the 10 best performers over each time period were used.
What is the difference between Price Return and Total Return?
Price Return is the change in price over a specific period of time displayed as a percentage. Total Return is the change in price over a specific period of time, reflecting dividends and distributions that are assumed to be reinvested on their payment dates, net of the expense ratio.
Do these returns include reinvested dividends?
Each performance chart shows price return, which excludes the impact of reinvested dividends. Data tables show both price return and total return figures.
Where can I find best-performing stocks based on sector, industry, country, or other criteria?
Find ideal investment choices using your custom criteria with the YCharts Stock Screener. Create custom formulas to narrow a large equity universe to a manageable list of candidates that meet your strategy criteria, or leverage pre-built screens within the tool to kickstart investment research.
Similarly, the YCharts Fund Screener can be used to find investment ideas in the mutual fund and ETF universe.
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