1 Stock That Turned $1,000 Into $66,000

It’s beneficial for investors to approach investing with a long-term perspective, considering timeframes of decades rather than days or months. This perspective enables focusing on crucial factors and lets the potent effect of cumulative growth take hold.

Reflecting on the past, it’s clear that some significant investments have paid off handsomely for those who exercised patience. For instance, a leading enterprise in one particular industry has provided shareholders with an astonishing total return of 6,540% over the last 30 years (as of July 15). This staggering increase translates to approximately $66,000 for someone who invested $1,000 back in July 1995, held onto their shares, and consistently reinvested their dividends.

However, which retail stock yielded such an astonishing 66-times return, and would it be a sound choice for portfolio expansion at present?

A history of success

It’s quite likely that a Home Depot (HD) store is situated near where you reside, as the company currently operates stores within a 10-mile radius for about 90% of the American population. However, this expansion didn’t happen overnight; it took time to get to this point.

In the chilly months of January 1995, I found myself observing a thriving Home Depot network composed of just 340 locations. This dynamic company was quickly gaining ground, offering an array of building materials, appliances, home decor, and tools to both DIY enthusiasts and professional clients. The visionary pioneers leading the charge recognized the potential for growth, envisioning the establishment of new stores in uncharted territories, thereby expanding their market reach.

On May 4, 2025, The Home Depot operated 2,350 stores worldwide, consisting of 182 in Canada and 140 in Mexico. Currently, this company is a retailing powerhouse, reporting $39.9 billion in sales during its first quarter of the fiscal year. Notably, this revenue figure far exceeds what it reported 30 years earlier. Consequently, The Home Depot stands as the dominant player in the home improvement retail market, with Lowe’s trailing significantly behind.

Home Depot not only earns substantial profits, but it reported an impressive $5.1 billion in operating income during its last financial quarter. The company’s leadership is focused on sharing this success with its investors. In fiscal year 2024 alone, they distributed dividends totaling $8.9 billion, and also bought back shares from the market.

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Is Home Depot stock a buy now?

Over the last thirty years, Home Depot has significantly increased its standing. It is a powerful retailer recognized widely, offering an unparalleled range of products, and boasting advanced omnichannel services. These factors are likely to keep it at the forefront of its industry.

Is this stock a good investment at the moment? One factor that might make investors hesitant is the company’s underperformance over the past few years. For instance, Home Depot has demonstrated its vulnerability to broader economic conditions, such as increased interest rates and inflation, which can discourage consumers from investing in major home renovations or upgrades due to financial constraints.

Home Depot is strategically placed to prosper when overall conditions become favorable. It’s worth noting that the average age of a house in the United States was 40 years old in 2022, compared to 31 years in 2005. This means older homes, which typically require more maintenance, could boost the demand for Home Depot’s products.

As a passionate investor, I’ve got my eyes on this top-tier company that’s currently navigating through some tough times. Despite the bumps in the road, its stock price-to-earnings ratio stands at a substantial 24.3 – quite near to the S&P 500’s own ratio. However, considering Home Depot’s projected compound annual growth rate of earnings per share (EPS) at merely 5.9% from fiscal 2024 to 2027, as per analyst consensus estimates, this high valuation seems a bit steep for my taste.

From a optimistic perspective, it’s clear that the home improvement sector will persist, making robustness an appealing quality for investors aiming to purchase stocks and maintain them over the long term. My personal recommendation would be to monitor Home Depot closely and be prepared to act when its valuation decreases.

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2025-07-19 14:23