How to turn $20,000 into $3 million in 10 years with ASX shares

If you had invested $20,000 into Altium Limited (ASX:ALU) shares 10 years ago you would be very rich today…

| More on:
a woman

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

I'm a big fan of buy and hold investing and believe it is one of the best ways for investors to grow their wealth.

To demonstrate how successful it can be, every so often I like to pick out a number of popular ASX shares to see how much a single $20,000 investment ten years ago would be worth today.

This time around I have picked out the three shares that are listed below:

Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)

The Altium share price has been a very strong performer over the last decade. Thanks to the growing popularity of its printed circuit board design software and the emergence of the Internet of Things, Altium has been growing its sales and earnings at an explosive rate in recent years. This has led to its shares generating a mouth-watering total return of 65% per annum over the period. This would have turned a $20,000 investment into just short of $3 million. And with Altium intent on growing its revenues from an estimated US$205 million to US$215 million in FY 2020 to US$500 million by FY 2025, I doubt shareholders will be in a rush to part with their shares just yet.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

The Flight Centre share price may have hit turbulence this year, but it has still been a long-term market beater. Thanks to its domination of the local market and its international expansion, Flight Centre's shares have provided an average total return of 13.3% per annum over the last 10 years. This means that an investment of $20,000 into Flight Centre's shares 10 years ago would have grown to be worth ~$69,500 today.

Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC)

Long term shareholders of Ramsay Health Care have also done very well over the last decade. The private hospital operator has grown its operations significantly over this time to a total of 480 facilities across 11 countries. And thanks to growing demand for healthcare services due to ageing populations and increasing chronic disease burden, Ramsay has delivered solid earnings growth over the period. This has led to its shares generating an average total return of 22.2% per annum. Which means a $20,000 investment 10 years ago would be worth $148,500 today.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Altium. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ramsay Health Care Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on How to invest

A young well-dressed couple at a luxury resort celebrate successful life choices.
How to invest

No savings at 50? I'd use Warren Buffett's methods to get rich and retire early

This simple strategy could be key to retiring rich even if starting late in life.

Read more »

Happy young couple saving money in piggy bank.
How to invest

How I'd build a winning portfolio by investing in top ASX shares now

Let's see what steps you could take to build a winning portfolio.

Read more »

Happy young couple doing road trip in tropical city.
How to invest

How to make $50,000 passive income a year from ASX shares

Here is how you can generate income each year without lifting a finger.

Read more »

Happy young woman saving money in a piggy bank.
How to invest

$20k invested in these ASX 200 shares 10 years ago is worth…

Let's see how these stocks have performed since back in 2014.

Read more »

A young well-dressed couple at a luxury resort celebrate successful life choices.
How to invest

How to build a million-dollar portfolio with ASX shares

These are the steps to take to build a seven-figure investment portfolio.

Read more »

Hands reaching high for a trophy with a sunset in the background.
How to invest

I'm taking Warren Buffett's advice for when ASX shares are at record highs

Would the Oracle of Omaha continue to buy shares when the market is at a record high?

Read more »

Beautiful young couple enjoying in shopping, symbolising passive income.
How to invest

If an investor puts $500 per month in an ASX shares portfolio, here's what they could have in 10 years

Harnessing the power of compounding can bring you great wealth...

Read more »

Man holding fifty Australian Dollar banknote in his hands, symbolising dividends, symbolising dividends.
How to invest

How much would I need in an ASX share portfolio to earn $500 a month?

Want a monthly income boost? Here's one way you could do it.

Read more »