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Key Points

• One of these monster stocks has gained 385% in the past year.

• Another offers a growing dividend that recently yielded 6.1%.

• 10 stocks we like better than Palantir Technologies ›

I'm about to suggest some very promising "monster" stocks you might want to hold over the coming decade. They're not all monster-ish in the same way, as you'll see, but they each have great potential to deliver a monstrously wonderful performance in the years ahead.

Read on, to see which one(s) seem like they'd be a good fit for you and your long-term portfolio.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More »

1. Palantir Technologies

Let's start with Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR), a specialist in artificial intelligence (AI) software. The most monstrous thing about it is its performance in recent years. For example, despite having sunk some 15%-plus in the past week, its average annual gain over the past three years is 165%! Over the past year, its shares have gained an incredible 385%. And year-to-date (it's only August), they've more than doubled.

That's enough to make anyone want to jump into the stock, but hold on -- because its valuation is also monstrous. Yes, if everything goes to plan, it could still serve investors well. But it's priced for perfection, and things don't always turn out perfectly. So I can't recommend buying it now, but if you already own it, you might hold -- or, to play it safer, perhaps sell part of your position to lock in those gains.

In your deliberations, know that Palantir, co-founded by Trump ally Peter Thiel, has been favored by the Trump administration and its software may be helping it collect and process data on Americans and immigrants. The U.S. military is a big customer, too.

2. DoorDash

DoorDash (NASDAQ: DASH) also sports impressive trailing returns, averaging annual gains of 56% over the past three years. It, too, has seen its valuation grow quite high, with a recent price-to-sales ratio of 9.3, well above its five-year average of 4.2.

It's been growing well and now operates in some 30 countries. Its second-quarter earnings report featured total orders growing by 20% year over year to 761 million, and revenue rising by 25%. Management noted that "...solid execution helped us make our consumer experience more personalized, attract tens of thousands of new merchant partners, and reduce average delivery times. The improvements we made over the last few years continue to compound and helped drive accelerated [year-over-year] growth in monthly active users..."

3. Nvidia

Semiconductor specialist Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is another monster performer, averaging annual gains of 71% over the past five years and 77% over the past decade. Better still, it doesn't seem wildly overvalued, like some other growth stocks. Its recent forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 39, for example, is on par with its five-year average -- though that number is still on the high side.

Nvidia has long been known as a gaming-chip semiconductor company, but it's gotten a lot more involved in the AI boom and it's been providing chips for data centers -- which are increasingly needed for AI and other technologies. The company has cut some deals with the Trump administration that might serve it and its shareholders well, too.

4. Altria Group

The next monster stock is perhaps an unexpected one: tobacco giant Altria (NYSE: MO). Before you hit the snooze button, know that it's up some 37% over the past year and it offers a fat dividend, recently yielding 6.1%. It's been hiking that payout, too. Its total annual payout was recently $4.08 per share, for example, up from $3.00 in 2018 and $2.17 in 2015.

This can be a great stock to buy and/or hold simply for the generous (and growing) income it provides. But it's not a stock to buy and forget. Know that smoking rates in the U.S. have fallen considerably and that doesn't bode well for Altria's future. The company has been investing in smokeless products, though, which may make up for losses in cigarettes. (It has been having success in raising prices for its offerings, too.)

5. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Finally, there's Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM). It's not just a giant semiconductor company -- it's a special one, because while most such companies only design chips, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing actually manufactures them. It's the biggest chip maker by far -- with a recent market share of 67.6%.

The company's growth potential is enormous, given that semiconductors are now used in all kinds of things, including cars and refrigerators -- and AI, of course. The company expects its AI accelerator revenue to double in this year alone. But some worry that the Trump administration might want to take a bite out of its business.

Give any or all of these stocks some consideration for your long-term portfolio. They might help your money grow like gangbusters.

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Selena Maranjian has positions in Altria Group, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends DoorDash, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Waymo heads to the Big Apple.

It's the first permit of its kind, and a crucial step along the path toward launching a true robotaxi service in the Big Apple.

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CodeSignal Inc., the San Francisco-based skills assessment platform trusted by Netflix, Meta, and Capital One, launched Cosmo on Wednesday, a mobile learning application that transforms spare minutes into career-ready skills through artificial intelligence-powered micro-courses. The app represents a strategic pivot for CodeSignal, which built its r…Read More

As Australia rolls out a ban on social media for kids under 16, tech companies face steep fines and teens face life without TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. Will it work?

Startup Battlefield 200 is the crown jewel of TechCrunch Disrupt. From thousands of applicants, only the top 20 will take the Stage at Disrupt 2025 (October 27-29, San Francisco) to pitch their vision to panels of top-tier VCs in front of a live audience. Every contender is chasing game-changing impact — and we’re here for the drama, the breakthroughs, and the big reveals.

Waymo now lets you stream music straight from Spotify, which makes the back seat of a robotaxi feel more like your own private space.

For 20 years, startups have come to TechCrunch Disrupt to meet their first investors, land their biggest partnerships, and spark the idea that takes them to the next level.

Hear from Jai Das, Sapphire Ventures, and Roseanne Wincek, Renegade Partners, on how founders can prep for an exit at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Register here.

This October, Gil takes the Disrupt Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco for a fireside chat that promises to cover a lot of ground.

Ann Bordetsky (NEA), Rajat Bhageria (Chef Robotics), and Murali Joshi (ICONIQ) join the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Register now to save.

Just two days left save up to $675 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 ticket. Join 10,000 tech and VC leaders October 27-29, San Francisco. Register here.

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The Gemini 2.5 Deep Think released to users is not that same competition model, rather, a lower performing but apparently faster version.Read More

• Wall Street interns face pressure for return offers as summer ends.
• Internships are crucial for securing full-time investment banking roles.
• Regina Savage of Morgan Stanley emphasizes seizing opportunities and knowing strengths.

With Wall Street summer internships in their final stretch, young bankers in training have a new concern: the return offer.

On Wall Street, internships are more than a summer gig. They're often the main gateway to full-time investment banking jobs — making the stakes especially high.

Regina Savage knows a thing or two about building a successful investment banking career. A managing director at Morgan Stanley — a top Wall Street bank and coveted destination for aspiring bankers — she played a key role in taking electric vehicle company Rivian public in 2021

Savage began her banking career at Goldman Sachs in Los Angeles, advising on media mergers and acquisitions, before moving to Morgan Stanley in 2009, where she has remained since. She now serves as global head of the firm's automotive and mobility technology group, focusing on electric and autonomous vehicles at a time when companies like Waymo and Tesla are making waves. Savage is also cohead of North America industrials within the investment bank, advising manufacturing and other industrial clients on M&A. She is based in Chicago.

In an effort to understand how young bankers can succeed in this competitive industry and put their best foot forward, Business Insider spoke with Savage, who has spent many years interacting with interns. She talked about the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise, understanding your own strengths and "superpowers" rather than trying to emulate others, and described the way lists help keep her organized.

Checking things off the list

As a managing director, Savage travels a lot to interface with clients. For her, early mornings are key to productivity.

"I think people have to know when they're most productive," she said. "I'm actually really ruthless and conscious of how I spend my time, and so as part of that, I know that I'm most productive in the morning."

When she's not on the road (or in the sky), she uses the first hour or two of her morning to get through the less fun, more administrative stuff.

"I tend to be up really early," she said. "I get myself ready and I get myself a coffee, log in, and I try to triage what came in overnight."

Lists are also a key part of her organization, Savage said.

"I also keep a running list of my priorities. And I reset that list every week, and look at that and make sure that I'm spending my time on what those are," she said.

The right attitude

When it comes to hiring young talent, Savage looks for curiosity, enthusiasm, and a genuine interest in the work, rather than just technical skills.

"I think it's really important that they have curiosity about the job and what it is that we're doing and why we're doing it. So it's not just about putting together a slide, but why are we pulling this slide together?" she said.

"You're only going to be successful at this job if you find it interesting," she said. "Seeing people who really do want to understand how it all fits together is important."

The attribute that the most successful interns and young hires tend to share is a good outlook and attitude.

"Attitude is well more than 50% of what makes somebody truly great at that level," she said. "We can teach you the skills you need."

Seizing opportunities

Savage didn't plan to become an expert in the automotive space. Not long after arriving at Morgan Stanley, the bank needed someone to help lead Chrysler's restructuring after its bankruptcy. Savage raised her hand.

"You don't know where the opportunities are going to be. You just have to be ready to grab them when they come," she said.

After spending about a year on that deal, she saw a "white space" in auto coverage and decided to focus on technology within the sector just as electric and autonomous vehicles were taking off. Aspiring bankers, take note.

"Being resilient and adaptable and, when you see an opportunity, jumping at it and with both hands, I think that's the number one piece of advice I would give."

Savage also warns not to dwell on "what could've been."

"There's no point in looking at closed doors or other paths that are closed to you. I feel like people worry that they missed something," she said. "Don't waste calories, energy, brainpower on regret."

Know your superpower

Savage advises young people trying to find their way in the industry to be really honest with themselves about their strengths and weaknesses.

"Know your superpower," she said. "I find people try to emulate others, but nobody is you."

She gave herself as an example: "There are some people who strut into a room and they just command the room immediately and ooze charisma — that's never going to be me. But I know what I am really good at. I'm really good at making connections and synthesizing information and being able to see patterns across different things," Savage said.

Savage suggests starting by looking for people you admire who have similar strengths as you and at what they've done. This advice is particular important for young women, she said.

"It's a lot less likely that there's another woman that you're working with that has a similar skillset to you that you can emulate. So being able to take little bits from everybody that you meet that you think is successful, and seeing how that works with your style, is really important."

We recently unveiled the Going Public Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — a new destination for founders navigating the complexities of company building, from early traction to IPO and beyond.

• Waymo on Thursday announced a service area expansion in Austin.
• The move came a few days after Tesla showed off an expanded phallic-shaped geofence.
• Robotaxi fans will find that the service area expansions come with a few limitations.

Tesla and Waymo seem to be duking it out over who has the bigger size — and size in this case refers to the companies' respective robotaxi boundaries in Austin.

Waymo has been offering self-driving rides to the general public for a few months, and Tesla has been testing out rides to a limited number of invitees last month.

Three days after Tesla showed off an expanded, phallic-shaped geofence in Austin, Waymo on Thursday said that it has more than doubled its service area in the city from about 37 square miles to 90 square miles.

The coverage area includes new neighborhoods such as Crestview, Windsor Park, Sunset Valley, Franklin Park, and more, according to Waymo.

Lovers of robotaxis might have to temper Tesla's and Waymo's ability to please — for now.

For Tesla, unless you're one of the handful of people who received an invite from the company or know someone who got an invite, you'll have to wait until the company opens the service up to the broader public.

It's unclear when that will happen. Tesla's latest announcement of the service area expansion didn't mention whether the company was adding more robotaxis on the road or inviting more passengers.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has pledged that the robotaxi service will ramp up quickly.

A Tesla spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Waymo said that the service area expansion will allow more people in Austin to experience a fully autonomous ride.

However, the service is only available through the Uber app, which does not allow users to request a robotaxi. Users can only opt in for the option. This means the app will decide to pair users up with a human driver or a robotaxi, depending on what's available first or what's more time-efficient.

When trying to hail a Waymo in Downtown Austin on Thursday, Business Insider found in repeated tests that Uber will pair users with a human driver when the destination calls for going on the 35 highway or MoPac Expressway.

Waymo currently doesn't take public passengers on the highway.

Chris Bonelli, a spokesperson for Waymo, told BI in an email that a rider will likely be matched with an Uber driver if a more optimal route requires going on the freeway.

Waymo employees are currently taking fully autonomous freeway rides in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, Bonelli said.

When Business Insider set a closer destination that doesn't require a highway or toll, Uber immediately suggested a Waymo.

A spokesperson for Uber did not respond to a request for comment.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is the epicenter where 10,000+ startup and VC leaders gather to explore the future of innovation — and this year, two AI Stages bring the intersection of design and machine learning into sharp focus. We’re thrilled to welcome Alejandro Matamala Ortiz, co-founder and chief design officer at Runway, to one of the […]

This isn’t your typical venture panel. Expect sharp insights on how to cut through the noise, structure your raise, and build relationships that last beyond a term sheet. Whether you're gearing up for your first round or advising a founder who is, this is the TC Disrupt session you don’t want to miss.

Another day, another smart device bites the dust -- or, in this case, a full lineup of smart devices. On Thursday, Belkin announced it will end technical support for its older Wemo products as of January 31, 2026, and the app used to control the devices will no longer be supported. The decision will impact a range of devices, including smart plugs, light switches, smart bulbs, baby monitors, kitchen appliances, heaters, air purifiers, motion sensors, and more.