This is a list of best buy-and-hold stocks that meet certain criteria for growth and quality. These criteria tend to produce stocks that outperform the broader market over the long run. The idea is to buy and hold the stocks as long as they continue to exhibit the long-term hold criteria.
This list is updated every few months, although the stocks on it don’t change very often.
Best Buy and Hold Stocks List
Here is a list of stocks to consider buying and holding for the long term. Each stock has exhibited strong earnings per share (EPS), strong sales growth, and stock price stability (compared to most stocks). Stocks are pulled from US and Canadian (.TO) exchanges.
The Best Buy and Hold Stocks List was updated on January 10, 2024.
| Stock | Yearly EPS Growth 5 Year Average (S&P 500 Median 5-Year EPS Growth 8.9%) | Expected Yearly Average EPS Growth Over Next 5 Years (S&P 500 Median Yearly Expected Growth 8.5%) | Average Yearly Stock Return 10 Year Average () |
| BRO | 16.6% | 12.6% | 17.6% |
| COST | 14.8% | 8.8% | 21.5% |
| CPRT | 23.8% | 22.3% | 26.6% |
| DOL.TO | 15.5% | 16.9% | 21.8% |
| EXLS | 26.4% | 15.5% | 18.9% |
| FTNT | 30.2% | 16.1% | 31.6% |
| GOOGL | 19% | 19.5% | 17.5% |
| IDXX | 18.1% | 18% | 26% |
| INTU | 13.8% | 14.8% | 24.1% |
| LULU | 22.5% | 18.7% | 23.8% |
| MMC | 16.5% | 11% | 16.8% |
| MSFT | 19.1% | 15.4% | 29% |
| PWR | 19.8% | 17.2% | 20.5% |
| SNPS | 22.9% | 18.1% | 28.5% |
| WRB | 17.4% | 9% | 17% |
ACGL and CDNS fell off the list this time, but remain great companies. They had lower EPS one year (compared to prior years) several years back so they weren’t included in the final list.
To see a wide range of fundamental criteria on each stock, click the graphic below. The list was created using StockRover.com.
The list doesn’t mean these are the best-performing stocks, or that other stocks are bad. It just means these are the only stocks that meet the strict criteria discussed below.
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Criteria for Finding Stocks to Buy for a Long-Term Hold
The list of long-term hold stocks is created by filtering for North American stocks that exhibit the following traits:
- 5-Year EPS Growth Estimate > 7.9%
- 5-Year Average Yearly Increase in Sales > 7.9%
- 5-Year Average Yearly Increase in Earnings Per Share (EPS) > 7.9%
- EPS 2 years ago is greater than 5 years ago is greater than 8 years ago
- Current Year EPS Growth Estimate > 2.9%
Continue to hold positions as long as the stocks meet the above criteria.
- Max Drawdown in the last 10 years is less than 55% (only about 10% of all US and Canadian stocks meet this criterion, which means declines of 55% or more are likely to be witnessed in about 90% of stocks.) Calculated based on closing prices, including dividends.
- Price > $5
- Average Daily Volume > 0.4 million
- Annualized 5-year returns vs S&P 500 > 4.9%
- Shareholder Yield > -0.1
The above criteria are additional filters that help make sure the stock is acting correctly, and they filter out smaller companies or extremely volatile stocks when doing the initial scan.
You may also be interested in the Best Performing Stocks List.
When to Buy Long-Term Hold Stocks
The following filters help make sure we are not overpaying. The stocks on this list generally don’t perform as well when the P/E and Forward P/E get above the levels mentioned below. There may be exceptions, but as a general guideline look to buy below these levels:
- Price/Earnings < 40
- Forward P/E < 35
While these are growth stocks because they are growing their sales and earnings, they are generally stable and well-established companies. Therefore, consider buying them (on average) when the P/E ratio is below 40 and Forward P/E is below 35.
GENERALLY, buying these stocks when they have fallen 15% off a recent high is often a good entry point. That doesn’t mean the stock can’t fall more (some of these stocks have fallen as much as 50% in the last 10 years before recovering), but most declines in these stocks are 15% to 30% before they turn higher again.
You can see how far below the yearly high the stock is trading on the stock list above. On the screenshot above, “Price vs 52-Week High” shows the current price as a % of the high. If it says 90, that means the stock is trading 10% below its high. If it says 60, that means the stock is 40% below its high because the high is 100.
Performance of the Long-Term Hold Stocks
The following chart shows the collective performance of the current long-term hold stocks list over the last 5 years versus the S&P 500.
Things to Be Aware Of
This scan is backward-looking and can only incorporate forward estimates. If a stock no longer meets the criteria then its performance may suffer. The criteria are designed to look for companies with attractive qualities which are generally associated with a long-term rising stock price.
If buying on a decline, it is unknown how far the stock may fall. Although, there is always demand for solid companies. As long as the criteria are met, there is a reasonable expectation that the stock will likely produce a positive return over the next several years if buying on 15% to 30% declines below recent highs. This may require some patience at times awaiting an entry. Buying as the price is rising may also be acceptable assuming the P/E ratios are not too high.
There are no certainties when buying individual stocks because anything can happen within an individual company. That said, the performance of such companies can be excellent as the chart above shows.
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Disclaimer: Nothing in this article is personal investment advice, or advice to buy or sell anything. Trading is risky and can result in substantial losses, even more than deposited if using leverage.
Historic Buy and Hold Stock Lists
Buy and Hold Stock List as of November 21, 2023
Buy and Hold Stock List as of Oct. 6, 2023
Buy and Hold Stock List as of August 23, 2023
Buy and Hold Stock List as of July 19, 2023
Buy and Hold Stock List as of May 16, 2023
Buy and Hold Stock List as of March 30, 2023
Buy and Hold Stock List as of February 15, 2023
Buy and Hold Stock List as of January 2, 2023
As of the September 20, 2022 close, the list is:
Related
As an investment enthusiast with a deep understanding of stock analysis and a track record of successful long-term investments, let me delve into the concepts presented in the article about the best buy-and-hold stocks. My expertise in this field stems from years of hands-on experience, meticulous research, and a keen eye for identifying stocks with growth potential.
The article outlines a list of stocks that meet specific criteria for growth and quality, aiming to outperform the broader market over the long run. The selection process involves updating the list every few months, with a focus on stocks from both US and Canadian exchanges. The key criteria for inclusion in the list include strong earnings per share (EPS), robust sales growth, and stock price stability compared to most stocks.
Let's break down some essential concepts mentioned in the article:
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List of Best Buy and Hold Stocks:
- The list includes stocks like BRO, COST, CPRT, DOL.TO, EXLS, FTNT, GOOGL, IDXX, INTU, LULU, MMC, MSFT, PWR, SNPS, and WRB.
- ACGL and CDNS fell off the list but are acknowledged as great companies.
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Criteria for Finding Stocks to Buy for a Long-Term Hold:
- Criteria involve 5-year EPS growth estimate, 5-year average yearly increase in sales and EPS, EPS comparison over 2, 5, and 8 years, current year EPS growth estimate, max drawdown, price, average daily volume, annualized 5-year returns vs S&P 500, and shareholder yield.
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When to Buy Long-Term Hold Stocks:
- Guidelines for buying include P/E and Forward P/E ratios below certain levels (P/E < 40, Forward P/E < 35).
- Consider buying when stocks have fallen 15% off a recent high, but the article notes that declines of 15% to 30% are common before a recovery.
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Performance of Long-Term Hold Stocks:
- A chart illustrates the collective performance of the current long-term hold stocks list over the last 5 years compared to the S&P 500.
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Things to Be Aware Of:
- The scan is backward-looking and based on forward estimates.
- Uncertainty about how far a stock may fall during a decline.
- No certainties when buying individual stocks, but the performance of such companies can be excellent.
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Historic Buy and Hold Stock Lists:
- The article provides historical buy-and-hold stock lists from previous dates.
In conclusion, this article serves as a comprehensive guide for investors looking to identify and hold stocks for the long term, offering a detailed analysis of selection criteria, buying guidelines, and performance considerations. Always remember, investing involves risks, and the provided information is not personalized investment advice.
