In this article, we will take a look at the 12 Best Performing S&P 500 Stocks in the Last 10 Years.
The S&P 500, the most widely used indicator of the US stock market, is difficult to beat. Since its inception in 1957, the S&P 500 has produced strong long-term financial performance, with average annual total returns of more than 10% before inflation and more than 14% per year between 2020 and 2025.
As of early 2026, Wall Street holds a favorable outlook for the stock market, with many analysts expecting the S&P 500 to deliver significant returns. Ben Snider, chief US equity strategist at Goldman Sachs Research, predicts that the Federal Reserve’s trajectory, the state of the US economy, and advancements in AI investment/adoption will be the most significant factors affecting the U.S. equity market this year. He mentioned that Goldman Sachs expects 12% earnings growth, which will support a 12% market return. Speaking on market drivers for this year, he said the following:
When valuations are high, it suggests a small surprise can have a really large negative consequence. We saw that a bit in early 2025 when the market was forced to second guess its earnings outlook for the year, and consequently, the S&P declined quite sharply. This year with valuations high we expect earnings will continue to drive the market, but it does leave open the possibility of another negative surprise.
If the expected 12% gain occurs, 2026 will fall within the historically usual 10%-20% return range. That would set it next to years like 2016 and 2010, which were decent, ordinary, and in line with long-term averages.
Our Methodology
For this list, we used stock screeners to identify S&P 500 stocks that were popular among analysts and elite hedge funds. We then narrowed these stocks further by 10-year performance (>1000%), selecting the 11 best performing from our initial pool.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 427.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 264 percentage points (see more details here).
12. Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO)
Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. Following the company’s announcement of a new $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization, Needham reiterated its Buy rating and $1,975 price target for Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO) on February 26. This new buyback initiative follows the conclusion of Fair Isaac’s previous $1 billion repurchase program, which was in effect from June 2025.
So far this quarter, Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO) has repurchased around $181 million in stock, an increased quantity compared to previous quarterly buybacks.
Needham sees the accelerated repurchases as a solid indicator of Fair Isaac’s future free cash flow potential. According to the firm, the recent repurchases might add around $0.20 to annualized earnings per share, subject to execution details disclosed in the next earnings report.
Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO) develops software with analytics and digital decisioning technologies that enable businesses to automate, enhance, and connect decisions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.
11. Axon Enterprise Inc (NASDAQ:AXON)
Axon Enterprise Inc (NASDAQ:AXON) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. On February 25, TD Cowen boosted its price target for Axon Enterprise Inc (NASDAQ:AXON) to $950 from $925 while maintaining its rating on the company’s shares. The firm highlighted the company’s 53% bookings increase during the fourth quarter and revenue forecast of 27% to 30% for fiscal 2026, which topped the Street estimate of 25.5%.
The company’s software mix growth is expected to boost margins during the forecast period. Moreover, Axon announced a 125% net revenue retention rate, along with accelerated annual recurring revenue growth.
RBC Capital also cited Axon’s fourth-quarter 2025 performance and fiscal 2026 guidance as proof of the company’s ability to diversify into innovative product categories and sectors while maintaining its leadership position in US public safety. RBC Capital stated that Axon’s data moats and network effects equip the company to handle AI decentralization risk.
Axon Enterprise Inc (NASDAQ:AXON) is a global provider of public safety technology solutions. Its products include body-worn cameras, which it supplies to customers such as US law enforcement agencies.
10. Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:STX)
Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:STX) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. Bernstein boosted Seagate Technology Holdings plc’s (NASDAQ:STX) price target to $500 from $370 on January 29, while keeping an Outperform rating on the data storage company’s shares. The raise comes after Seagate’s solid fiscal second-quarter 2026 results, which beat forecasts for revenue, margins, and adjusted earnings per share of $3.11.
In addition to rapid cost savings from HAMR technology materializing sooner and more substantially than expected, Bernstein observed that average selling prices remained strong and exceeded their estimates.
The firm emphasized that demand continues to be solid while supply remains disciplined, with management stating that volumes have been set for calendar year 2026. However, price is only anticipated to move upward by low single digits quarter-to-quarter rather than seeing notable spikes.
Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:STX) is a global leader in data storage solutions, designing and manufacturing hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and storage systems for enterprise, cloud, and consumer applications.
9. Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR)
Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. On February 23, Stifel increased its price target for Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) to $647 from $517, retaining a Buy rating on the company’s shares. The company reported fourth-quarter 2025 results that exceeded expectations, driven by strong performance in the Electric division and completed acquisitions. The deals include Tri-City for internal electric work, Wilson for delivery and distribution, and Billings for helicopter operations.
The company’s midpoint 2026 revenue projection was around $2 billion higher than expected, mostly as a result of the $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion in acquisitions from the fourth quarter. Adjusted EPS estimate for 2026 also beat expectations by $0.62 at the midpoint.
Stifel stated that the increase in organic awards supports an encouraging outlook for 2026, citing increasing trends in load growth fueling utility investment, increasing combined-cycle gas turbine potential, and sustained positive M&A activity.
Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) provides infrastructure solutions to the electric and gas utility, power generation, communications, pipeline, and energy industries.
8. Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH)
Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. On February 26, Evercore ISI reaffirmed its Outperform rating and $165 price target for Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH), noting that concerns about a shift away from copper are exaggerated, as Nvidia’s upcoming Rubin platforms will continue to use copper for connections.
Amphenol’s involvement in delivering these, in addition to AI-specific components, indicates that it will continue to outperform, with the possibility for further revenue growth from IT/Datacom.
Additionally, Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) recorded record revenues of $6.44 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 49% increase from the previous year. Given strong demand from AI-focused data centers, the IT/Datacom category, which accounts for 38% of overall revenue, expanded organically by 110%.
Notably, Amphenol’s acquisition of CommScope’s CCS division in January 2026 expanded its fiber-optic services and strengthened its high-speed copper services, positioning the company as a leading provider for AI clusters and large-scale data centers.
Amphenol Corporation (NYSE:APH) is a leading manufacturer of electronic and fiber optic connectors, cables, and interconnect systems. Its products serve industries like automotive, aerospace, defense, and industrials.
7. Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS)
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. Following the company’s fourth-quarter earnings, Stifel reaffirmed its Buy rating and $395 price target for Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) on February 18. In contrast to the consensus forecasts of $1.42 billion, 45.4% margin, and $1.91 per share, Cadence Design Systems revealed Q4 2025 revenue of $1.44 billion with a 45.8% margin and earnings per share of $1.99.
The company has $7.8 billion in backlog and $3.8 billion in ongoing performance commitments, accounting for roughly 64% of its fiscal 2026 guidance midpoint.
In contrast to the Street expectation of $8.05, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) reported a fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS forecast of $8.10 at the midpoint. The anticipated Hexagon purchase, with an annual run rate of more than $150 million, is not included in the guidance. Stifel pointed out that the forecast takes second-half hardware visibility and China risk into consideration.
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) is a leading player in electronic systems design. Utilizing its Intelligent System Design approach, the company provides a full range of hardware, IP, and computational software solutions.
6. Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FTNT)
Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FTNT) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. BMO Capital boosted its price target for Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FTNT) to $95 from $90 on February 9, while keeping a Market Perform rating on the company’s shares. The firm stated that Fortinet posted results above consensus estimates in major categories, except for service revenue growth, which lagged behind projections.
Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FTNT) announced earnings per share of $0.81, compared to the expected $0.74. At the same time, the company’s revenue surpassed forecasts, reaching $1.91 billion versus estimates of $1.86 billion.
BMO Capital pointed out that investors were pleasantly surprised by management’s fiscal year 2026 billings growth outlook of 13% year-over-year, which was above the consensus expectation of 11%.
Looking ahead, the firm expects Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FTNT) to continue gaining momentum in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) market and sees significant upside to topline forecasts.
Fortinet, Inc. (NASDAQ:FTNT) is a cybersecurity company that provides enterprise-level next-generation firewalls and network security solutions, leveraging artificial intelligence across its cybersecurity products.
5. KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC)
KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. Citi moved KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) to a 30-day positive Catalyst Watch on February 26, in anticipation of the company’s Investor Day in New York on March 12, noting optimism about an improved long-term financial model and potential product launches.
According to analyst Atif Malik, investor focus will be on KLA’s revised goal model, the trend of process-control concentration, and prospects for additional outperformance and market-share increases. Malik added that the firm anticipates that KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) will be able to achieve “$24Bn/$68 revenue/EPS in 2030 on $200Bn WFE,” led by “modestly improving gross margins of 63% from 2026 levels” and increased process-control concentration.
Citi acknowledged that the KLA stock had fallen behind peers since earnings due to concerns about the worse WFE outlook and process-control developments, though it claimed that the key “investment thesis of elevated process control intensity and share gains remains intact.”
KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) provides process control, inspection, metrology, and yield management systems, which are critical to advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
4. Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU)
Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. Morgan Stanley boosted its price target for Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) to $450 from $350 on February 11, while keeping an Overweight rating on the company’s shares. The firm highlighted continuous DRAM price rises and supply bottlenecks as major reasons for its more optimistic view. Morgan Stanley reported that DDR5 spot pricing has already grown by 30% year-to-date and is now 130% higher than January contract rates.
The company pointed out that standard DRAM pricing might double again while remaining more than 10% below current spot prices, which keep rising. By this point, contract prices are 86% higher than they were in December.
Morgan Stanley believes the widespread DRAM scarcity will continue, with supply growth in 2026 estimated to be inadequate in easing market pressure, likely forcing further price rises throughout the year.
Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) designs, develops, manufactures, and markets memory and storage products, including dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), flash memory (NAND), solid-state drives (SSDs), and High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) globally.
3. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD)
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. On February 25, TD Cowen reaffirmed its Buy rating and $290 price target for Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD). The firm highlighted AMD’s recently announced multi-year partnership to sustain Meta’s next-generation AI technology.
With an initial deployment beginning in the second half of 2026, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) will contribute six gigawatts of AI computer capacity, valued at over $100 billion. The company would also grant Meta up to 160 million performance-based warrants as part of the deal, enabling Meta to acquire shares at a discount.
Moreover, RBC Capital retained its Sector Perform rating, emphasizing the agreement’s possible long-term advantages. Mizuho, on the other hand, warned that the initial stock gains might not be maintained.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) is a global semiconductor company focused on high-performance computing, graphics, and visualization technologies. The company operates through its Data Center, Client and Gaming, and Embedded segments.
2. Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO)
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. On February 5, Jefferies reaffirmed its Buy rating and $500 price target for Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO), highlighting the company’s solid standing in the AI and networking areas. The firm cited Google’s capital expenditure projections as evidence of a “significant vote of confidence” in increased AI spending, coupled with fundraising efforts from other firms such as OpenAI, xAI, and Oracle.
Jefferies acknowledged concerns regarding Broadcom’s custom on-package (COT) operation, claiming that Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) is “well ahead” of market competitor MediaTek on v8 chips and is going to preserve this lead with v9 chips in terms of scheduling and performance.
According to Jefferies’ bottom-up forecast, Google will sell 6 million total units in calendar 2027, with Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) receiving 85-90% of the revenue, and the firm adds that there is “room for that overall number to move up further.”
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) is a semiconductor and infrastructure software company. It designs and supplies products, including custom chips, networking solutions, and enterprise software used across industries such as cloud computing, telecommunications, and data centers.
1. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) ranks among the best performing S&P 500 stocks in the last 10 years. On February 26, UBS maintained its Buy rating and $245 price target for NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), citing robust demand and revenue forecasts. The firm pointed out that the company’s demand comments were perhaps the most optimistic it had encountered, with the backlog now running into the year 2027.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) reported top-notch fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings of $68 billion, exceeding average projections by about $2 billion. The company also reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.62, which surpassed forecasts by $0.08.
After growing by more than 60% in the quarter before, NVIDIA’s obligations to purchase inventory nearly doubled quarter-over-quarter. According to UBS, this leaves enough room for quarterly revenue to reach about $100 billion in the quarters ahead. The firm revised its earnings forecasts as well, increasing projected earnings per share for calendar 2027 and 2028 to about $12.70 and $14.80, respectively.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is a fabless semiconductor company. It designs and develops graphics processing units and related technologies used in gaming, data centers, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems.
While we acknowledge the potential of NVDA to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVDA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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