When people think about market leaders, they usually picture Apple (AAPL) , Amazon (AMZN), or Google’s parent Alphabet (GOOGL). These are the companies that dominate headlines with new products and bold strategies. Yet, beneath the surface, a different story has been unfolding. Some businesses that are considered “boring” are quietly beating these tech giants in performance.
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According to Apollo Global Management’s chief economist Torsten Sløk, investors often spend a disproportionate amount of time analyzing high-growth technology companies. But when you look at the numbers, other sectors have managed to deliver higher returns, with less drama along the way.
Tractor Supply Beats Apple over the Long Haul
Apple has been one of the most successful companies in history, but Tractor Supply (TSCO) has quietly done even better over long periods. Since 2001, the farm and ranch retailer has outperformed the iPhone maker.
In the past five years, Tractor Supply’s stock has more than doubled in value. Apple, by contrast, is up 83 percent. The difference shows that steady businesses with loyal customers can hold their ground against even the most innovative companies. It also highlights that sometimes investors overlook simple, durable business models because they are less glamorous than tech.
Domino’s Pizza Has Outpaced Alphabet
The same trend appears when comparing Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) with Alphabet. Since 2007, Domino’s has outperformed the internet giant, despite Alphabet’s dominance in search, online advertising, and cloud computing.
Over the last five years, Domino’s stock has climbed nearly 150 percent, while Alphabet gained closer to 125 percent. Domino’s success comes from consistent demand, an expanding global presence, and a reliable business model that customers keep returning to. For investors, it proves that consumer staples with predictable sales can sometimes outshine technology businesses that carry more risk.
Old Dominion Freight Line Leaves Amazon Behind
Freight and trucking are not industries that usually excite Wall Street. But Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) shows that boring sectors can reward investors handsomely.
In the past five years, Old Dominion has gained 56 percent. Amazon, despite its global reach and reputation for growth, managed just over a third in the same period. Shipping freight across the country might not make headlines, but it has produced more reliable results than chasing the next big innovation.
What Should Investors Know?
Sløk argues that the obsession with tech stocks can leave investors blind to other opportunities. While the “Magnificent Seven” companies are important drivers of the S&P 500 (SPX), plenty of other businesses deliver stable and sometimes superior returns.
For investors, the lesson is straightforward. You don’t need to own the flashiest stock to grow your wealth. In fact, holding businesses with steady earnings and dependable customer demand may not only deliver strong performance, but also reduce the stress that comes with volatility in high-growth tech stocks.
Investors can use the TipRanks Stocks Comparison Tool to line up these names against Big Tech stocks. Click on the image below to explore the details.
