Best Long-Term Stocks To Watch and Invest In Now

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Looking to grow your money and build wealth steadily over time? The best long term stocks are designed to help you do just that. In 2025, investors are focusing more than ever on stocks with solid fundamentals, strong market positions and consistent growth potential.

Whether you’re investing for retirement, a future goal or just building your portfolio, long-term stocks offer a dependable strategy to ride out market ups and downs.

This guide covers the best long term stocks to watch and invest in now, with clear, friendly explanations to help you make the best investment choices — even if you’re just getting started.

Best Long Term Stocks in 2025

Here are some of the top long-term stock picks based on stability, innovation and proven performance:

Stock Ticker Market Cap Dividend Yield Current Share Price P/E
Apple  AAPL $3.17 Trillion 0.51% $205.32 30.03
Berkshire-Hathaway  BRK-B $1.09 Trillion N/A $507.30 24.09
Costco COST $458.59 Billion 0.50% $1033.40 59.59
Microsoft MSFT $3.39 Trillion  0.73% $458.87 34.79
Amazon AMZN $2.16 Trillion  N/A $206.16 34.26
Nvidia NVDA $3.26 Trillion 0.03% $135.57 43.42
Walmart WMT $780.97 Billion 0.96% $98.12 38.20
Visa  V $708.72 Billion 0.65% $367.93 33.47
Coca-Cola KO $307.97 Billion 2.85% $71.93 23.96
Meta META $1.59 Trillion  0.33% $640.43 25.55

Why Invest in Long-Term Stocks?

Investing in long-term stocks is a great way to build and diversify your portfolio. Here are the advantages of investing in long-term stocks:

  • Benefit of Compound Growth: Investing in long-term stocks means earnings can be reinvested. This approach creates the possibility of future growth. 
  • No Need To Keep Reevaluating: Long-term investors don’t need to keep reevaluating the stock if it continues to do well. Most investors know that they need to be patient with long-term stock growth. 
  • Benefits of Dividends: Many long-term stocks have dividends. You can either receive a dividend or reinvest your dividends into the stock.  
  • Chance for Capital Appreciation: Long-term investors have the possibility of huge gains if they are patient with their investment. 

Long-Term Stocks vs. Other Investment Options

How do long-term stocks compare to other investments? Check out this chart that compares long-term stocks with other investment options.

Investment Type Pros Cons
Long-term stocks  -Historically strong returns
-Dividends are possible
-Capital growth is a high probability 
-Not for the short-term, requires patience
-Companies can be vulnerable to bankruptcy and underperformance
-Volatile in the short-term
ETFs -Good for beginners
-Lower risk than a single stock
-A good way to diversify 
-Some ETFs may underperform
-Tied to market performance 
Real Estate -Can receive rental income
-A physical asset
-Potential tax advantages 
-Market risk-Tenant risk
-High upfront costs 
Bonds  -Consistent income
-Low risk
-Can diversify heavy stock portfolios
-Low returns
-Prices fall when interest rates drop
-Conservative investment 
-Inflation risk 

Risks of Investing in Long-Term Stocks

There are risks in investments of any kind. Here are some reasons why they may not be the ideal investment: 

  • No Promise of Guaranteed Returns: Even though it may be a long-term stock, there’s no guarantee of a return. 
  • Market Volatility: Long-term stocks can suffer from market volatility because of economic cycles, interest rates and global events. 
  • Company Risk: Every company is vulnerable to risks like bankruptcy, underperformance or scandalous situations. 
  • Liquidity Issues: If you need cash and have invested significant sums in long-term stocks, you may need to sell during a downturn.

Trends Shaping Long-Term Stocks

Curious about the trends shaping long-term stocks? Here are the 2025 trends in long-term stocks:

  • Emphasis on Global Investments: Investors are not only investing in U.S. markets but also expanding into other international markets. 
  • AI is a Driving Force: Companies are investing in AI to build productivity and efficiency. This approach may have a favorable impact on long-term stocks. 
  • Specific-Sector Investing: Investors are investing in sectors like aging, tech and environmental-focused companies. 

How to Buy Long-Term Stocks

Here’s how to move forward with buying long-term stocks:

  • Step 1: Choose a Brokerage Platform and Fund Your Account – Choose a platform that allows you to buy long-term stocks and link a bank account. Choose a platform with minimal or no commission trading, the option to buy fractional shares and educational information. 
  • Step 2: Make Sure You Do Your Research – You want to invest in companies that have dividend 
  • growth stocks, ETFs and blue-chip stocks.
  • Step 3: Find the Company Ticker – Locate the company ticker on the platform. 
  • Step 4: Decide How Much You Want To Invest – Invest in stocks based on looking at your entire portfolio. 
  • Step 5: Place an Order – Choose your order type and submit.
  • Step 6: Track Your Investment – Monitor your investment and make adjustments as necessary. 

Final Take to GO

The best long term stocks in 2025 offer the kind of growth and resilience that can anchor your portfolio for years. Whether you want exposure to tech, healthcare, finance or the entire market through an ETF, starting today means giving your money more time to grow.

Ready to take the next step? Compare these stocks, research their performance, and start building your future one investment at a time.

For more insights, check out our beginner’s guide to stock investing and how to invest in ETFs for step-by-step tips.

Long-Term Investment FAQs

Even experienced investors want to change up their investment strategies occasionally. While short-term stocks are suitable for those who can tolerate high risk, a long-term strategy is a better option for many. Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about the best long-term stocks to invest in:
  • What are the best long-term stocks for beginners? 
    • Apple (AAPL), Costco (COST)and Microsoft (MSFT) are good long-term stocks for beginners.  
  • Should I invest in long-term stocks in 2025? 
    • Yes, it is a good time to invest in long-term stocks. After the high inflation of the last couple of years, markets are stabilizing. With long-term stocks, you can block out the short-lived dips, with the knowledge that you will receive compounding returns. 
  • Which long-term stocks pay dividends? 
    • Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Coca-Cola (KO) are long-term stocks that pay dividends.  
  • Are long-term stocks good for long-term growth? 
    • Yes, as long as you're patient with the downturns and are consistent with your investment. You cannot necessarily time investing in long-term stocks based on market timing. 

Information is accurate as of May 20, 2025.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.

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