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.
The bottom line is that over the long term, earnings growth goes hand in hand with the biggest winners. On that note, here are three market-beating stocks that deserve a spot on your list.
Corning (GLW)
Five-Year Return: +341%
Supplying windows for some of the United States’s earliest spacecraft, Corning (NYSE:GLW) provides glass and other electronic components for the consumer electronics, telecommunications, automotive, and healthcare industries.
What Makes GLW Stand Out?
- Impressive 14.3% annual revenue growth over the last two years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
- Earnings growth has massively outpaced its peers over the last two years as its EPS has compounded at 30.3% annually
- Free cash flow margin increased by 5.9 percentage points over the last five years, giving the company more capital to invest or return to shareholders
Corning is trading at $163.75 per share, or 45.6x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Nicolet Bankshares (NIC)
Five-Year Return: +108%
Starting as Green Bay Financial Corporation in 2000 before rebranding in 2002, Nicolet Bankshares (NYSE:NIC) is a regional bank holding company that provides commercial, agricultural, and consumer banking services primarily in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Why Will NIC Outperform?
- Impressive 24.8% annual net interest income growth over the last five years indicates it’s winning market share this cycle
- Net interest margin jumped by 69 basis points (100 basis points = 1 percentage point) over the last two years, giving the firm more resources to pursue growth initiatives
- Additional sales over the last two years increased its profitability as the 26.2% annual growth in its earnings per share outpaced its revenue
Nicolet Bankshares’s stock price of $161.90 implies a valuation ratio of 1.5x forward P/B. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.
Chevron (CVX)
Five-Year Return: +89.9%
Operating everything from deepwater drilling rigs to corner gas stations, Chevron (NYSE:CVX) explores for, produces, and transports crude oil and natural gas, then refines that crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products.
Why Are We Positive on CVX?
- Market share has increased this cycle as its 6.3% annual revenue growth over the last ten years was exceptional
- Unparalleled revenue scale of $215.3 billion gives it advantageous pricing and terms with suppliers
- Free cash flow generation is better than most peers and allows it to explore new investment opportunities
At $205.17 per share, Chevron trades at 12.5x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. The best stocks don’t just beat the market once. They do it again. And again. Robust revenue growth, rising free cash flow, returns on capital that leave their competition in the dust. The market has already rewarded these businesses.
But our AI platform says the party isn’t over. Find out which 9 stocks made the cut this week — FREE. Get Our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks for Free HERE.
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,460% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+1,154% between June 2020 and June 2025). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.