3 ASX shares that turned $100,000 into $1 million in 10 years or less

Choose quality stocks representing companies with rapidly growing market share, and your millionaire dreams could come true.

| More on:
A young well-dressed couple at a luxury resort celebrate successful life choices.

Image source: Getty Images

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

Forget artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies and 3D printing.

You don't need to jump on the latest fad to rake in amazing returns from ASX shares.

Just pick out quality businesses with unique products or services, and you could turn $100,000 into $1 million in only 10 years. Maybe you don't even have to wait a full decade.

You don't believe me?

Here are three examples playing in very different realms that have made their investors filthy rich:

1. Global leader of what humankind depends on now

Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) is an Australian-founded company that makes electronic design software.

Specifically, it helps engineers design printed circuit boards, which are the basic building blocks of modern computers.

Solaris Investment Management chief investment officer Michael Bell is a fan of the business, describing it as "strong leaders in their industry with strong pricing power".

And he loves that Altium displays what his team calls strong "earnings quality", which is not using accounting loopholes to make the EBITDA look better than it really is.

"They expense capex. That is really important to see that. That gives us confidence to invest in these companies."

So, what would have happened if you bought $100,000 worth of Altium shares on 20 September 2013?

You will have more than $1.7 million now.

2. Investing for growth without any debt

While Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME) also makes software, its clientele is completely different to Altium.

The Melbourne company supplies imaging tools for hospitals and clinics, and has been doing this since the 1980s.

The Motley Fool's Tristan Harrison this month pointed out a massive pro for Pro Medicus, considering it's a business that's been growing so rapidly.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Pro Medicus PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.com.au

"The ASX 200 [company] is expanding in North America and Europe and is investing for growth," he said.

"It finished FY23 with $121.5 million of cash and other financial assets while remaining debt free."

Pro Medicus shares always seem to be derided as "expensive" by its critics. But that hasn't stopped investors making a ton of money over the years. 

Say you bought a $100,000 batch of Pro Medicus shares 10 years ago. 

What would it be worth now? Are you sitting down?

That investment would now be $16.17 million.

3. Retire now

Moving away from technology, let's take a look at a stock from a definitely old-world industry.

We know now that lithium, as an important battery ingredient, is all the rage for a net zero future.

But if you had the nous to realise this a few years ago, you could have made an outrageous return from Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Liontown Resources PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.com.au

On 19 September 2013, the stock price sat at just 1 cent as the company explored for opportunities.

Now the Liontown share price is hovering at the $3 mark, meaning $100,000 put in 10 years ago would be worth $30 million.

In fact, there is one particular investor that largely used Liontown shares to turn $156,000 into $58 million over just the past five years.

The lithium producer is now the subject of a takeover proposal from US giant Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB).

More on Opinions

Man ponders a receipt as he looks at his laptop.
Opinions

3 reasons why the Xero share price could be a strong buy

This stock has all the hallmarks of a long-term winner.

Read more »

Happy miner giving ok sign in front of a mine.
Opinions

Which ASX 200 stock offers 'material upside' amid continuing uncertainty over US tariffs?

Blackwattle Investment has identified one ASX 200 large-cap stock that is thriving on the uncertainty.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.
Financial Shares

2 rising ASX financial shares with 'meaningful upside' still left: fundie

Financials outperformed every other sector in FY25, but there are still buying opportunities left, say these experts.

Read more »

A businessman hugs his computer and smiles.
Opinions

If I could only own one ASX 200 share for the rest of my life, it'd be this one

This is one stock I expect to own forever.

Read more »

Man ponders a receipt as he looks at his laptop.
Technology Shares

Brokers rerate 3 leading ASX 200 tech stocks

Experts reveal their ratings on the ASX 200 tech sector's three biggest companies.

Read more »

Person holding a blue chip.
Opinions

Buy alert! 2 ASX 200 blue-chip shares worth a look now: expert

Dylan Evans from Catapult Wealth has identified two blue-chip shares that he thinks are good buys today.

Read more »

Two happy woman on a couch looking at a tablet.
Opinions

Why I'm excited to see the results of these ASX 200 shares

These stocks could reveal very interesting insights.

Read more »

Young male investor smiling looking at laptop as the share price of ASX ETF CRYP goes higher today
Opinions

Why I just bought this 5.2%-yielding ASX dividend stock and plan to buy even more

This business is one of my favourites for dividends and total returns.

Read more »