Look, investing is easy when you have the benefit of looking through the rearview mirror. But that requires a long-term outlook, and many investors get sucked into following short-term price movement. 

For the last several years, growth stocks has been synonymous with technology stocks, particularly those that focus on artificial intelligence (AI). However, many of those stocks are suffering from lofty valuations based on even loftier expectations.  

This isn’t an article about an AI bubble. Every investor is responsible for managing their own positions in these stocks based on their individual risk tolerance.  

But it’s impossible to ignore that a pullback of some sort is likely. And when that happens, many investors may be left without a backup plan.  

That’s why it helps to have a stable of proven performers in your portfolio. But in this case, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for “boring” businesses that pay out solid dividends but may lack sufficient growth. These are growth stocks that have generated a strong total return in the last 10 years.  

Mark Twain is attributed to saying history doesn’t repeat itself, but it frequently rhymes. With these stocks, past history doesn’t guarantee future performance. No analyst can guarantee that. But each of these growth stocks has a story that should make you confident that they can continue to deliver for investors. 

Growth Stocks to Buy: Eli Lilly & Co. 

Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) is up approximately 17% in 2025. That’s solid, but not what many growth investors would want to see. However, it’s important to zoom out. Over the last five years, LLY stock has increased by around 530%. And in the last 10 years, the total return for LLY stock, which includes its dividend, is 1,290%. 

In the short-term, investors are buying Lilly stock for its type-2 diabetes and weight loss drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound. The addressable GLP-1 market is expanding, but so is the competition. Nevertheless, Lilly has an impressive lead in the category. In fact, analysts are forecasting 40% revenue growth from its GLP-1 platform in 2025 and 20% growth next fiscal year.  

But what has made LLY stock one of the best growth stocks of the last 10 years and will lead its growth in the next 10 years is its deep product portfolio and pipeline. That includes many of today’s leading oncology products and several more to come.  

Growth Stocks to Buy: Howmet Aerospace 

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM) is another name for investors looking at growth stocks. HWM stock is up more than 86% in 2025, but analysts are forecasting that HWM stock may move up to 20% higher in the next 12 months. And that’s just a continuation of its long-term story. Over the last 10 years, Howmet has delivered a total return of 1,312%.  

The company is not part of the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus. Rather, the company manufacturers many of the components these companies and others like it need to build jet engines and other high-tech applications. The growth story comes due to the aging of the current global airline fleet and the desire for more fuel-efficient aircraft.  

At around 62x forward earnings, Howmet trades at a premium to its historic average. Investors may want to wait for a pullback, but that would be a clear buying opportunity for a stock that investors can buy and hold for years to come.  

Growth Stocks to Buy: Robinhood Markets 

Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD) stock is up 226% in 2025, but analysts see much higher upside for the stock in the next 12 months. Unlike the other two stocks on this list, Robinhood doesn’t have a long track record. HOOD stock has only been trading publicly since 2021.  

However, in that short time, the stock has rewarded investors with a return of over 260%.  That doesn’t include a dividend because Robinhood is still in growth mode. 

The company came onto the scene as an option for retail investors. Commission-free trading and the ability to buy fractional shares launched a new generation of investors. The company continues to add products and services, including access to prediction markets. The company already has approximately 27 million funded accounts and over $300 billion in assets. That puts it well on the way to its goal of becoming a one-stop financial app for consumers.