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SMALL BUSINESS
Top 25 Stocks of
The Past 25 Years
Previous-
AP
'If only I had bought... '
What are the top performing stocks of the past quarter century? They include some very familiar names like Dell, Microsoft and Home Depot, but also some surprises including the No. 1 stock which is up 64,224 percent since 1982.
A $100 investment in each of these stocks in their infancy would have turned your $2,500 investment into a whopping $650,000.
Next: See No.1 Overall StockMore on Stocks:
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Franklin Resources Inc.
1. Franklin Resources
64,224 Percent Gain
BEN
As the old saying goes, the way to make money during a gold rush is to be the one selling shovels. The best stock of the past 25 years -- the USA's No. 4 mutual fund manager -- is a prime example, managing money and dispensing investment advice during a 20-year bull market.
Next: DanaherMore on Franklin Resources:
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Danaher
2. Danaher
47,913 Percent
DHR
Most people might never have heard of this maker of industrial measuring tools, but companies of all types depend on its gear, which measures just about anything, ranging from electricity to blood and air quality.
Next: Eaton VanceMore on Danaher:
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Eaton Vance
3. Eaton Vance
38,444 Percent
EV
This smaller rival to Franklin Resources also cashed in on the insatiable demand for money management as it offered everything from mutual funds to services for institutional investors.
Next: UnitedHealthMore on Eaton Vance:
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AP
4. UnitedHealth
37,672 Percent
UNH
Skyrocketing medical costs often are the worst part of going to the doctor. This insurer has prospered as employers and consumers looking for protection from wallet-busting costs snapped up its plans.
Next: Cisco SystemsMore on UnitedHealth:
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Getty Images
5. Cisco Systems
33,632 Percent
CSCO
This router maker made a fortune selling fatter straws to Internet surfers sucking ever-bigger amounts of bytes by downloading music and updating their Web pages.
Next: IGT and BiometMore on Cisco Systems:
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IGT / Biomet
6. International Gaming Technology (IGT)
33,436 Percent
Investors who bet the house on this slot machine ace hit the jackpot.
7. Biomet (BMET)
30,531 Percent
Biomet's reconstructive medical devices have made breaking a knee, leg or shoulder a bit less scary.
Next: Microsoft and Best BuyMore on IGT & Biomet:
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Getty Images
8. Microsoft (MSFT)
29,266 Percent
More than 90 percent of computers run some sort of software from the house Bill Gates built.
9. Best Buy (BBY)
28,703 Percent
This retailer turned itself into a Disneyland for gadget freaks with its shelves brimming with the latest electronic gizmos.
Next: Oracle and StrykerMore on Microsoft & Best Buy:
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Countrywide / Expeditors
12. Countrywide (CFC)
24,160 Percent
This leading mortgage lender provided the fuel for the home-buying boom, which in turn was a boon for its bottom line.
13. Expeditors Intl. (EXPD)
23,860 Percent
If it seems most everything sold here was made in China, this freight-forwarding company is probably partly responsible.
Next: Home Depot and DellMore on Countrywide & Expeditors
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Getty Images
14. Home Depot (HD)
23,845 Percent
Handy types willing to strap on a tool belt and silence that leaky faucet, feel at home at this arms dealer in the do-it-yourself craze.
15. Dell Computer (DELL)
23,048 Percent
A revolutionary made-to-order PC business model that was the brainchild of founder Michael Dell wowed Wall St.
Next: Robert Half and Credo PetroleumMore on Home Depot & Dell
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Robert Half / Credo Petroleum
16. Robert Half (RHI)
21,170 Percent
The provider of temporary and permanent help's deep bench of accounting and financial pros ready for hire helped it prosper in the post-Enron world.
17. Credo Petroleum (CRED)
20,180 Percent
This natural gas driller produced huge returns because its patented technology "liberates gas stranded in reservoirs."
Next: Adobe and PCCMore on Robert Half & Credo
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18. Adobe Systems (ADBE)
19,989 Percent
Anyone who has opened a PDF file knows what this digital-imaging king makes.
19. Precision Castparts (PCP)
19,437 Percent
It makes investment castings and airfoil castings and other components used in jet engines.
Next: Berkshire Hathaway and Smithfield FoodsMore on Adobe and Precision
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20. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) -- 19,424 Percent
Warren Buffett made himself and shareholders rich investing in easy-to-understand, undervalued businesses.
21. Smithfield Foods (SFD)
19,414 Percent
Its pre-processed sandwich meats fill kids' lunchboxes daily, and the low-carb craze made Smithfield bacon a breakfast staple.
Next: Paxar & Time WarnerMore on Berkshire & Smithfield
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Paxar / AP
22. Paxar (PXR)
18,923 Percent
They make info-packed labels, tags and pressure-sensitive stickers that list fabric, size, price and advise on after-purchase care.
23. Time Warner (TWX)
18,158 Percent
This media and entertainment mega-giant is home to multiple brand-name media outlets.
Next: Paychex and Harley-DavidsonMore on Paxar & Time Warner
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Paychex / AP
24. Paychex (PAYX)
17,920 Percent
It calculates timesheets, processes payroll, prints pay stubs, deducts taxes and sets up direct deposits.
25. Harley-Davidson (HDI)
17,808 Percent
Legions of loyal followers are devoted to the USA motorcycle maker whose chrome-accented cruisers are affectionately dubbed "Hogs."
Next: FORTUNE 500More on Paychex & Harley
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Getty Images
FORTUNE 500
Wal-Mart regained the top spot in FORTUNE's annual list of America's largest corporations.
See Full FORTUNE 500 List
Next: More on AOLMore on Wal-Mart:
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AOL Money & Finance: We'll help you make it, save it and spend it wisely.
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