3 Market-Beating Stocks to Own for Decades
Companies that consistently increase their sales, margins, or returns on capital are usually rewarded with the best returns, and those that can do all three for years on end are almost always the legendary stocks that return 100 times your money.
It’s clear there’s a strong connection between sustained earnings growth and hall-of-fame returns. On that note, here are three market-beating stocks that deserve a spot on your list.
SPX Technologies (SPXC)
Five-Year Return: +311%
With roots dating back to 1912 as the Piston Ring Company, SPX Technologies (NYSE:SPXC) supplies specialized infrastructure equipment for HVAC systems and detection and measurement applications across industrial, commercial, and utility markets.
Why Will SPXC Outperform?
- Annual revenue growth of 12.7% over the past two years was outstanding, reflecting market share gains this cycle
- Operating margin expanded by 8.5 percentage points over the last five years as it scaled and became more efficient
- Earnings growth has trumped its peers over the last two years as its EPS has compounded at 23% annually
SPX Technologies’s stock price of $218.22 implies a valuation ratio of 30x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free for active Edge members .
Armstrong World (AWI)
Five-Year Return: +136%
Started as a two-man shop dating back to the 1860s, Armstrong (NYSE:AWI) provides ceiling and wall products to commercial and residential spaces.
Why Is AWI a Good Business?
- Annual revenue growth of 11.5% over the last two years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
- Excellent operating margin of 24.7% highlights the efficiency of its business model, and its profits increased over the last five years as it scaled
- Share repurchases over the last two years enabled its annual earnings per share growth of 18.7% to outpace its revenue gains
At $184.77 per share, Armstrong World trades at 22.7x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free for active Edge members.
Nelnet (NNI)
Five-Year Return: +94.6%
Starting as a student loan servicer in the 1970s and evolving through the changing landscape of education finance, Nelnet (NYSE:NNI) provides student loan servicing, education technology, payment processing, and banking services while managing a portfolio of education loans.
Why Is NNI a Top Pick?
- Annual revenue growth of 18% over the last two years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
- Share buybacks catapulted its annual earnings per share growth to 101%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last two years
- Acceptable return on equity suggests management generated shareholder value by investing in profitable projects
Nelnet is trading at $133.94 per share, or 3.1x forward price-to-sales. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free for active Edge members.
Stocks We Like Even More
Your portfolio can’t afford to be based on yesterday’s story. The risk in a handful of heavily crowded stocks is rising daily.
The names generating the next wave of massive growth are right here in our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 244% over the last five years (as of June 30, 2025).
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today.