Thinking about creating a growth stock portfolio that you can set and forget? Here are three stocks that might be worth holding onto for a long time.
Some investors tend to trade frequently. Others prefer to find a particular stock and invest in it for the long haul, sometimes even forgetting about it for years. Imagine crafting a new portfolio that you could just leave there. Sure, you could stick with the reliable S&P 500 index funds, but wouldn’t it be nice to aim for something that could outperform the market? Ideally, that would be low-maintenance, allowing you to forget about checking on its performance without losing any sleep.
Before diving in, it’s helpful to have some clear objectives.
- Focus on longevity and growth. A true long-term investment should remain relevant and thrive over several years.
- Be competitive. Why settle for just okay when you can get the best of the best in a strong industry?
- Diversify your holdings. As the market fluctuates, a well-rounded portfolio should cover various sectors. Specializing in one area, like AI, is fine, but it’s also wise to have a broader basket of growth stocks.
With that in mind, here are three growth stocks that seem to tick all the boxes: they have staying power, are positioned for long-term growth, and are leaders in their respective fields. Together, they offer a diverse array of innovative operations, potentially leading to solid average returns through various market conditions.
Invest in them, and you can enjoy life—watch your kids grow up, or even learn a new hobby like playing the guitar—without worrying about your stocks.
Autozone’s Gaining Momentum
First up is the auto parts retailer, Autozone. This stock has delivered fantastic performance, climbing 238% in the last five years and around 16% in just the first half of 2025. Such returns are impressive, especially in a competitive market filled with giants like O’Reilly Automotive.
Now, I’m not saying O’Reilly is a bad choice, but AutoZone seems to have a few key advantages. For one, it trades at a lower valuation overall. Plus, AutoZone has higher revenue growth than O’Reilly and a good profit margin. It also benefits from long-term sales momentum and a strong balance sheet.
AutoZone isn’t just resting; it’s actively working to optimize its supply chain and has recently opened 84 new online stores. This is a particularly ripe time to invest in retail, as many are worried about tariffs and international disputes—factors that could deter consumer spending. Still, I believe people will keep fixing and maintaining their cars, no matter the political climate. Autozone will likely remain a key player in this arena for years to come.
Roku: An Underdog in Media Streaming
If you’re eyeing a long-term growth narrative, consider Roku. While many media streaming giants are well-known, Roku often flies under the radar, making it somewhat underrated.
Sure, I could suggest Roku’s predecessor, Netflix, instead. Both companies are part of the competitive global media market, but Roku is still at the beginning of its international expansion. While Netflix continues to thrive, Roku appears to be starting an exciting new chapter.
The company isn’t profitable at the moment, but that’s by design. Roku’s management is pouring resources into various growth opportunities, from original content to robust advertising platforms. Recently, stock performance has been lackluster, but I see this as an opportunity to buy in. I mean, if Roku hasn’t outperformed the market by 2035, I’ll eat my hat—while adding a pinch of salt, of course.
IBM: Old Dogs Learning New Tricks
Finally, let’s delve into IBM. You might not think of it as a leader in the AI space, but that would be a mistake. IBM targets a different clientele than some of its flashier peers, focusing primarily on enterprise-level services. This is a vast market, and IBM’s long-term emphasis on AI is starting to pay off, making the stock look reasonably priced.
Currently, IBM shares are selling at a low valuation, especially when looking at cash flow metrics. If IBM were in a more glamorous cohort, it would still stand out as the most affordable option.
Additionally, IBM has a history of resilience—it’s been around for over a century and has thrived through many challenges, including wars and economic downturns. So, if you’re scouting for long-term investment ideas, IBM should be top of mind.
