2 Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

By John Ballard – Mar 12, 2026 at 4:50AM ESTKey PointsAmazon's technology-driven business can deliver many more years of shareholder returns.The off-price retail model used by TJX Companies continues to deliver solid results for investors.The best stocks to hold forever are those businesses that benefit from consistent demand, have a long runway of growth, and possess a durable competitive advantage. Once these qualities are present, you can let time and compounding do the rest of the work. Amazon (AMZN 0.78%) and The TJX Companies (TJX 1.03%) fit that profile. Here's why these stocks could be excellent additions to your portfolio. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Amazon Amazon's online retail business has made it one of the strongest brands in the world, driving more than $269 billion in annual revenue through its e-commerce platform. But the biggest reason the stock looks like a "forever" buy is that Amazon is also scaling highly profitable businesses outside of retail, such as cloud computing.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) posted accelerating growth last year. Fourth-quarter segment revenue grew 24% year over year, putting AWS at roughly $142 billion in annualized revenue. Customers are choosing AWS for its cutting-edge services, such as Bedrock, which help companies build and deploy AI-powered applications. The AWS growth story is still early, as only about 10% to 15% of global IT spending has shifted from on-premise servers to the cloud. Because AWS accounts for roughly half of Amazon's total profit, further growth in this segment could significantly impact shareholder returns. ExpandNASDAQ: AMZNAmazonToday's Change(-0.78%) $-1.68Current Price$212.65Key Data PointsMarket Cap$2.3TDay's Range$211.35 - $217.0052wk Range$161.38 - $258.60Volume27KAvg Vol49MGross Margin50.29% One of the company's key advantages is AWS's role in powering AI in Amazon's e-commerce business. For example, AWS's AI capabilities have supported Amazon's new shopping assistant, Rufus -- improving the shopping experience and helping drive higher purchase rates. It also powers product recommendations and optimizes delivery routes for Amazon's transportation network. The synergies between Amazon's cloud and online retail business create a formidable advantage. This will take the business (and stock) a long way for decades to come. 2. TJX Companies TJX has been a rewarding stock to hold for many years -- turning a $1,000 investment 20 years ago into roughly $25,000 today. As the leading off-price retailer in apparel and home fashions, it's built a model that is difficult for competitors to replicate. It generally offers merchandise from top brands at 20% to 60% below typical full-price retail. That is a meaningful competitive edge. ExpandNYSE: TJXTJX CompaniesToday's Change(-1.03%) $-1.65Current Price$157.88Key Data PointsMarket Cap$175BDay's Range$157.15 - $159.0052wk Range$112.10 - $162.68Volume6Avg Vol5.2MGross Margin32.57%Dividend Yield1.08% On top of deep discounts, TJX offers a constantly rotating assortment of merchandise, creating a "treasure hunt" experience that keeps customers coming back. This is a powerful retail model that resonates across age groups and income levels. The company continues to execute well. Each segment posted solid sales growth last year, including Marmaxx (TJ Maxx, Marshall's and Sierra stores), HomeGoods, its Canada operations, and the international segment. Consolidated comparable sales grew 5% last year, and disciplined cost management drove a solid 11% year-over-year increase in adjusted earnings per share. Meanwhile, the company still has opportunities to expand globally. The company ended fiscal 2026 with 5,214 stores worldwide, but management sees room to expand its footprint to roughly 7,000 locations in the long term. TJX shows that you can find wealth-building investments in unexpected areas of the economy. It has a resilient business model built on low prices, and this should lead to many more years of growth for shareholders.Read NextMar 11, 2026 •By Prosper Junior Bakiny2 Brilliant Growth Stocks to Buy Now and Hold for the Long TermMar 11, 2026 •By Neil PatelIs Amazon Stock Overvalued or Dirt Cheap? Here's the 1 Metric That MattersMar 11, 2026 •By Lawrence Rothman, CFAHave $500? 2 Absurdly Cheap Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy Right Now.Mar 11, 2026 •By Sean WilliamsBillionaire Bill Ackman Dumped His Fund's Stake in Chipotle and Has Piled Into This Dual-Industry Leader Over the Previous 3 QuartersMar 10, 2026 •By Daniel SparksAmazon Stock Has Pulled Back in 2026. Is This a Buy-the-Dip Moment?Mar 10, 2026 •By Keith SpeightsBuying Amazon Stock When It's Down This Much Has Always Paid Off in the Past.

Will It Again?About the AuthorJohn Ballard has been a contributing writer at The Motley Fool since 2016, covering consumer goods and technology stocks. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in real estate finance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.TMFRazorbackStocks MentionedAmazonNASDAQ: AMZN$212.65(-0.78%)-$1.68TJX CompaniesNYSE: TJX$157.88(-1.03%)-$1.65*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.