100 Stocks You Should Have Invested In 5 Years Ago

March 24, 2024

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If you know even a little bit about finance and investing, then you probably know that the stock market offers the most attractive returns for the average retail investor. The S&P 500, the index most commonly used as a proxy for the total U.S. stock market, delivered an average annual return of 14.68% over the last five years. That means $10,000 invested at the start of the period would be worth roughly $19,800 now, almost doubling your money. Not bad!

This type of investing — buying a widely diversified group of stocks to replicate an index — is called passive investing. It has a lot of advantages. It’s very easy to do, as there are now dozens of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) replicating multiple stock indices. It’s low risk, because the stock has delivered very consistent returns over the decades. It’s also low cost, meaning less of your returns get eaten away by management fees and expenses.

One of the downsides of passive investing is that when you “own the market” you are investing in both the winners and the losers, and it turns out that the market has a lot of losers. For example, a paper authored by finance Prof. Hendrik Bessembinder for the Journal of Financial Economics found that the majority of large-cap stocks failed to outperform their index. Even more striking was the finding that the entire net gain over the life of the total stock market since 1926 was created by just the top-performing 4% of companies.

Advocates of passive investing would point to this as proof of how hard it is to pick the winners — and they’re not wrong. Successful active investing isn’t easy, and even most professionals can’t beat the market over the long haul. Warren Buffett’s famous million-dollar bet with hedge fund manager Ted Seides proved that, when Buffett’s single index fund massively outperformed Seides’ handpicked group of hedge funds over a 10-year period.

Active investing remains popular, however, because for those who are good enough or lucky enough to pick one of the few winners, the rewards can be spectacular. For example, if you invested $10,000 in semiconductor company Nvidia’s stock five years ago, you would be sitting on over $200,000 today. These sorts of eye-popping returns are hard to resist. Here are 100 winners that just might have made you rich if you had bought them five years ago.

Note: The total return accounts for the impact of events like dividends and stock splits, and may be more or less than the percentage change in stock price over five years.

Celsius Holdings (CELH)

Share price in 2019: $1.15
Share price in 2024: $81.62
Total 5-year return: 6,778%

Super Micro Computer (SMCI)

Share price in 2019: $19.46
Share price in 2024: $866.12
Total 5-year return: 4,430%

e.l.f. Beauty (ELF)

Share price in 2019: $7.79
Share price in 2024: $208.53
Total 5-year return: 2,523%

NVIDIA (NVDA)

Share price in 2019: $37.32
Share price in 2024: $791.12
Total 5-year return: 1,965%

Karuna Therapeutics (KRTX)

Share price in 2019: $20.20
Share price in 2024: $313.97
Total 5-year return: 1,468%

Builder FirstSource Inc. (BLDR)

Share price in 2019: $13.46
Share price in 2024: $195.18
Total 5-year return: 1,301%

Enphase Energy (ENPH)

Share price in 2019: $8.29
Share price in 2024: $127.01
Total 5-year return: 1,300%

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX)

Share price in 2019: $8.15
Share price in 2024: $77.05
Total 5-year return: 1,024%

Dorian LPG (LPG)

Share price in 2019: $5.29
Share price in 2024: $36.15
Total 5-year return: 1,020%

Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA)

Share price in 2019: $2.56
Share price in 2024: $25.90
Total 5-year return: 923%

Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM)

Share price in 2019: $9.04
Share price in 2024: $78.20
Total 5-year return: 922%

Cytokinetics (CYTK)

Share price in 2019: $6.01
Share price in 2024: $72.24
Total 5-year return: 901%

Tesla (TSLA)

Share price in 2019: $18.44
Share price in 2024: $201.88
Total 5-year return: 847%

Celldex Therapeutics (CLDX)

Share price in 2019: $4.88
Share price in 2024: $48.06
Total 5-year return: 803%

Saia (SAIA)

Share price in 2019: $61.25
Share price in 2024: $575.40
Total 5-year return: 770%

Xpel (XPEL)

Share price in 2019: $6.31
Share price in 2024: $52.12
Total 5-year return: 756%

Shockwave Medical (SWAV)

Share price in 2019: $30.50
Share price in 2024: $260.87
Total 5-year return: 755%

Alphatec Holdings (ATEC)

Share price in 2019: $2.49
Share price in 2024: $13.43
Total 5-year return: 745%

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)

Share price in 2019: $22.08
Share price in 2024: $192.53
Total 5-year return: 718%

ACM Research (ACMR)

Share price in 2019: $3.88
Share price in 2024: $30.92
Total 5-year return: 717%

Leonardo DRS (DRS)

Share price in 2019: $2.75
Share price in 2024: $22.71
Total 5-year return: 714%

Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings (ARCT)

Share price in 2019: $4.63
Share price in 2024: $40.18
Total 5-year return: 697%

Kinsale Capital Group (KNSL)

Share price in 2019: $66.77
Share price in 2024: $516.18
Total 5-year return: 682%

Atkore (ATKR)

Share price in 2019: $21.62
Share price in 2024: $169.40
Total 5-year return: 635%

Sterling Infrastructure (STRL)

Share price in 2019: $14.06
Share price in 2024: $107.04
Total 5-year return: 630%

Medpace Holdings (MEDP)

Share price in 2019: $51.42
Share price in 2024: $397.52
Total 5-year return: 623%

Microstrategy (MSTR)

Share price in 2019: $137.35
Share price in 2024: $1,022.84
Total 5-year return: 622%

P10 (PX)

Share price in 2019: $1.29
Share price in 2024: $9.10
Total 5-year return: 622%

Krystal Biotech (KRYS)

Share price in 2019: $22.17
Share price in 2024: $159.47
Total 5-year return: 613%

Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS)

Share price in 2019: $23.49
Share price in 2024: $163.24
Total 5-year return: 610%

XPO (XPO)

Share price in 2019: $16.45
Share price in 2024: $120.32
Total 5-year return: 591%

Gen Digital (GEN)

Share price in 2019: $12.65
Share price in 2024: $21.49
Total 5-year return: 591%

Quanta Services (PWR)

Share price in 2019: $34.99
Share price in 2024: $241.51
Total 5-year return: 588%

Vertiv Holdings (VRT)

Share price in 2019: $9.97
Share price in 2024: $67.62
Total 5-year return: 582%

TopBuild (BLD)

Share price in 2019: $63.00
Share price in 2024: $402.38
Total 5-year return: 576%

Ares Management (ARES)

Share price in 2019: $22.45
Share price in 2024: $132.63
Total 5-year return: 575%

Powell Industries (POWL)

Share price in 2019: $30.49
Share price in 2024: $185.24
Total 5-year return: 572%

Boise Cascade (BCC)

Share price in 2019: $26.67
Share price in 2024: $135.78
Total 5-year return: 565%

Impinj (PI)

Share price in 2019: $16.67
Share price in 2024: $102.81
Total 5-year return: 553%

Lattice Semiconductor (LSCC)

Share price in 2019: $12.60
Share price in 2024: $76.61
Total 5-year return: 549%

Onto Innovation (ONTO)

Share price in 2019: $28.30
Share price in 2024: $184.16
Total 5-year return: 547%

Alpha Metallurgical Resources (AMR)

Share price in 2019: $56.78
Share price in 2024: $377.25
Total 5-year return: 545%

Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY)

Share price in 2019: $126.34
Share price in 2024: $753.68
Total 5-year return: 545%

Green Brick Partners (GRBK)

Share price in 2019: $8.80
Share price in 2024: $57.07
Total 5-year return: 541%

KLA (KLAC)

Share price in 2019: $114.63
Share price in 2024: $682.30
Total 5-year return: 536%

Dillard’s (DDS)

Share price in 2019: $69.87
Share price in 2024: $417.41
Total 5-year return: 533%

UFP Technologies (UFPT)

Share price in 2019: $33.34
Share price in 2024: $208.26
Total 5-year return: 522%

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF)

Share price in 2019: $25.76
Share price in 2024: $127.76
Total 5-year return: 518%

FTAI Aviation (FTAI)

Share price in 2019: $14.40
Share price in 2024: $56.29
Total 5-year return: 505%

Deckers Outdoor (DECK)

Share price in 2019: $141.96
Share price in 2024: $895.59
Total 5-year return: 505%

Modine Manufacturing (MOD)

Share price in 2019: $14.16
Share price in 2024: $89.71
Total 5-year return: 497%

DICK’S Sporting Goods (DKS)

Share price in 2019: $36.26
Share price in 2024: $177.89
Total 5-year return: 494%

Comfort Systems USA (FIX)

Share price in 2019: $52.02
Share price in 2024: $305.73
Total 5-year return: 491%

IES Holdings (IESC)

Share price in 2019: $18.45
Share price in 2024: $107.79
Total 5-year return: 483%

Wingstop (WING)

Share price in 2019: $65.43
Share price in 2024: $351.05
Total 5-year return: 481%

Rambus (RMBS)

Share price in 2019: $9.78
Share price in 2024: $59.24
Total 5-year return: 477%

Installed Building Products (IBP)

Share price in 2019: $46.41
Share price in 2024: $238.93
Total 5-year return: 477%

Lam Research (LRCX)

Share price in 2019: $167.16
Share price in 2024: $938.25
Total 5-year return: 473%

Axon Enterprise (AXON)

Share price in 2019: $48.47
Share price in 2024: $307.37
Total 5-year return: 471%

Immunogen (IMGN)

Share price in 2019: $5.91
Share price in 2024: $31.23
Total 5-year return: 469%

Synopsys (SNPS)

Share price in 2019: $103.26
Share price in 2024: $573.73
Total 5-year return: 464%

Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)

Share price in 2019: $134.10
Share price in 2024: $720.04
Total 5-year return: 459%

Broadcom (AVGO)

Share price in 2019: $265.51
Share price in 2024: $1,300.49
Total 5-year return: 457%

Applied Materials (AMAT)

Share price in 2019: $37.57
Share price in 2024: $201.62
Total 5-year return: 455%

CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD)

Share price in 2019: $58.00
Share price in 2024: $324.15
Total 5-year return: 453%

Murphy USA (MUSA)

Share price in 2019: $77.75
Share price in 2024: $417.01
Total 5-year return: 447%

Natera (NTRA)

Share price in 2019: $77.75
Share price in 2024: $417.01
Total 5-year return: 446%

Calumet Specialty Products (CLMT)

Share price in 2019: $3.71
Share price in 2024: $15.38
Total 5-year return: 440%

Axcelis Technologies (ACLS)

Share price in 2019: $19.57
Share price in 2024: $112.67
Total 5-year return: 436%

Cadence Design Systems (CDNS)

Share price in 2019: $58.77
Share price in 2024: $304.38
Total 5-year return: 432%

Mr. Cooper Group (COOP)

Share price in 2019: $13.01
Share price in 2024: $71.28
Total 5-year return: 428%

Jabil (JBL)

Share price in 2019: $27.19
Share price in 2024: $144.09
Total 5-year return: 424%

United Rentals (URI)

Share price in 2019: $126.58
Share price in 2024: $693.27
Total 5-year return: 424%

Alpine Immune Sciences (ALPN)

Share price in 2019: $6.57
Share price in 2024: $35.22
Total 5-year return: 421%

Uranium Energy (UEC)

Share price in 2019: $1.24
Share price in 2024: $6.48
Total 5-year return: 414%

Fair Isaac (FICO)

Share price in 2019: $248.05
Share price in 2024: $1,269.91
Total 5-year return: 412%

Intra-Cellular Therapies (ITCI)

Share price in 2019: $12.42
Share price in 2024: $69.52
Total 5-year return: 410%

GameStop (GME)

Share price in 2019: $2.74
Share price in 2024: $14.27
Total 5-year return: 404%

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals (CPRX)

Share price in 2019: $2.87
Share price in 2024: $14.56
Total 5-year return: 400%

Aspen Aerogels (ASPN)

Share price in 2019: $3.21
Share price in 2024: $17.12
Total 5-year return: 395%

Bancorp (TBBK)

Share price in 2019: $8.66
Share price in 2024: $44.64
Total 5-year return: 392%

Griffon (GFF)

Share price in 2019: $17.30
Share price in 2024: $71.40
Total 5-year return: 392%

Riot Platforms (RIOT)

Share price in 2019: $3.35
Share price in 2024: $14.05
Total 5-year return: 389%

M/I Homes (MHO)

Share price in 2019: $26.05
Share price in 2024: $126.99
Total 5-year return: 388%

MYR Group (MYRG)

Share price in 2019: $35.39
Share price in 2024: $162.46
Total 5-year return: 384%

Zscaler (ZS)

Share price in 2019: $58.27
Share price in 2024: $241.97
Total 5-year return: 378%

Crocs (CROX)

Share price in 2019: $25.37
Share price in 2024: $122.25
Total 5-year return: 376%

KKR & Co (KKR)

Share price in 2019: $22.56
Share price in 2024: $98.26
Total 5-year return: 372%

Willscot Mobile Mini Holdings (WSC)

Share price in 2019: $9.96
Share price in 2024: $47.75
Total 5-year return: 369%

Manhattan Associates (MANH)

Share price in 2019: $53.27
Share price in 2024: $253.33
Total 5-year return: 363%

MACOM Technology Solutions (MTSI)

Share price in 2019: $17.47
Share price in 2024: $88.33
Total 5-year return: 363%

Apollo Global Management (APO)

Share price in 2019: $28.53
Share price in 2024: $111.80
Total 5-year return: 357%

GMS (GMS)

Share price in 2019: $19.84
Share price in 2024: $89.31
Total 5-year return: 357%

Blackstone (BX)

Share price in 2019: $33.72
Share price in 2024: $127.82
Total 5-year return: 356%

Williams-Sonoma (WSM)

Share price in 2019: $57.82
Share price in 2024: $235.53
Total 5-year return: 355%

Group 1 Automotive

Share price in 2019: $60.55
Share price in 2024: $270.65
Total 5-year return: 353%

Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL)

Share price in 2019: $93.91
Share price in 2024: $442.48
Total 5-year return: 349%

Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)

Share price in 2019: $14.21
Share price in 2024: $63.37
Total 5-year return: 346%

EMCOR Group

Share price in 2019: $70.22
Share price in 2024: $313.52
Total 5-year return: 344%

Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)

Share price in 2019: $609.53
Share price in 2024: $2,688.77
Total 5-year return: 343%

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