2 Monster Stocks to Hold for the Next 5 Years

By Prosper Junior Bakiny – Mar 4, 2026 at 7:15AM ESTKey PointsApple's AI moves are having a bigger impact than some investors think, and the company is just getting started.Meta Platforms' massive ad business is improving thanks to AI. Apple (AAPL 0.35%) and Meta Platforms (META +0.23%) are among the largest corporations on equity markets. Both have produced outstanding returns over the past decade or so. And the good news for investors is that these tech leaders still have plenty of growth fuel and could, once again, beat the market through the next five years (and beyond). Read on to learn more about these monster stocks. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Apple Some investors have been skeptical of Apple in recent years. The company's sales growth isn't what it once was, as its most important growth driver, the iPhone, no longer generates the excitement it once did. There have also been issues related to tariffs, as well as concerns that Apple isn't capitalizing on artificial intelligence to the same degree as some of its similarly sized tech peers. ExpandNASDAQ: AAPLAppleToday's Change(-0.35%) $-0.93Current Price$263.79Key Data PointsMarket Cap$3.9TDay's Range$260.13 - $265.5652wk Range$169.21 - $288.62Volume3.9KAvg Vol48MGross Margin47.33%Dividend Yield0.39% Despite all that, there are solid reasons to hold on to Apple stock through 2031. The company's latest financial results have shown that the iPhone can still drive decent sales growth. Apple has returned to double-digit top-line growth rates thanks to its latest iPhone 17 and all the features it offers, including AI-powered ones. AAPL Revenue (Quarterly YoY Growth) data by YCharts Over the next five years, the company should make significant progress in adding AI features to its devices, from the iPhone to wearables, which could boost demand and sales for these products. Meanwhile, the company continues to expand its installed base and now boasts well over 2.5 billion active devices. That number should increase over the next half-decade, along with the company's service revenue. This higher-margin segment will help boost the company's profits and margins as it accounts for a higher percentage of its top line. These opportunities and more could allow Apple to deliver superior returns, at least for investors who stick with the stock despite the headwinds it has faced. 2.

Meta Platforms Meta Platforms has been investing heavily in AI. So far, the company's efforts are paying off. Thanks to various AI-powered initiatives, including recommendation algorithms across its websites and apps, as well as tools that help companies launch ads seamlessly, Meta Platforms has boosted engagement on its apps and increased ROI for advertising campaigns. The company is still at it and should make significant progress through 2031. Meanwhile, Meta's expanding user base will help strengthen its ecosystem and make it an even more attractive hub for advertisers. ExpandNASDAQ: METAMeta PlatformsToday's Change(0.23%) $1.52Current Price$655.08Key Data PointsMarket Cap$1.7TDay's Range$638.85 - $659.0052wk Range$479.80 - $796.25Volume2.6KAvg Vol16MGross Margin82.00%Dividend Yield0.32% Meta Platforms is slowly ramping up other growth opportunities, including paid messaging on WhatsApp, while CEO Mark Zuckerberg thinks AI glasses are the next big thing. While these opportunities could contribute a little more to the company's revenue and earnings, its core advertising business should remain its best growth driver for the foreseeable future. And considering how well it is performing, Meta Platforms' shareholders can look toward the future with confidence.Read NextFeb 26, 2026 •By Patrick SandersThe Best Warren Buffett Stocks to Buy With $300 Right NowFeb 24, 2026 •By Justin Pope5 Warren Buffett Stocks to Hold ForeverFeb 12, 2026 •By Jennifer Saibil3 Key Updates Apple Just Gave InvestorsFeb 8, 2026 •By Jennifer SaibilIs Apple Falling Behind in Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Here's What CEO Tim Cook Just Said.Feb 5, 2026 •By Neil PatelBest Stock to Buy Right Now: Apple vs. CostcoFeb 5, 2026 •By Jennifer Saibil1 Reason to Buy Apple Stock Right NowAbout the AuthorProsper Junior Bakiny is a contributing Motley Fool healthcare analyst covering biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare stocks.

Before The Motley Fool, Prosper wrote about investing topics ranging from stock market news to private equity for various companies. He holds a master’s degree in corporate finance from the University of Maryland Global Campus.TMFPBakinyStocks MentionedAppleNASDAQ: AAPL$263.79(-0.35%)-$0.93Meta PlatformsNASDAQ: META$655.08(+0.23%)+$1.52*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.