Stocks that outperform the market usually share key traits such as rising sales, expanding margins, and increasing returns on capital. The select few that can do all three for many years are often the ones that make you life-changing money.

Long story short, there is a near-perfect correlation between consistent earnings growth and huge winners. Taking that into account, here are three market-beating stocks that deserve a spot on your list.

Hamilton Lane (HLNE)

Five-Year Return: +105%

With over $100 billion in assets under management and supervision, Hamilton Lane (NASDAQ: HLNE) is an investment management firm that specializes in private markets, offering advisory services and fund solutions to institutional and private wealth investors.

Why Will HLNE Outperform?

1. Annual revenue growth of 21.1% over the last five years was superb and indicates its market share increased during this cycle
2. Share repurchases over the last two years enabled its annual earnings per share growth of 23% to outpace its revenue gains
3. ROE punches in at 38.5%, illustrating management’s expertise in identifying profitable investments

Hamilton Lane is trading at $154.10 per share, or 32.3x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Wintrust Financial (WTFC)

Five-Year Return: +216%

Founded in 1991 as a community-focused alternative to big banks in the Chicago area, Wintrust Financial (NASDAQGS:WTFC) operates community banks in the Chicago area and provides specialty finance services including insurance premium financing and wealth management.

Why Does WTFC Stand Out?

1. Market share has increased this cycle as its 15.4% annual net interest income growth over the last five years was exceptional
2. Earnings growth has massively outpaced its peers over the last two years as its EPS has compounded at 5% annually
3. Impressive 10.3% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last five years indicates it’s building equity value this cycle

At $137.29 per share, Wintrust Financial trades at 1.4x forward P/B. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC)

Five-Year Return: +92.2%

Tracing its roots back to 1863 during the Civil War era, First Financial Bancorp (NASDAQ: FFBC) is a bank holding company that provides commercial banking, lending, deposit services, and wealth management to individuals and businesses.

Why Could FFBC Be a Winner?

1. Share buybacks propelled its annual earnings per share growth to 8%, which outperformed its revenue gains over the last five years
2. Balance sheet strength has increased this cycle as its 17% annual tangible book value per share growth over the last two years was exceptional
3. ROE punches in at 10%, illustrating management’s expertise in identifying profitable investments

First Financial Bancorp’s stock price of $26.48 implies a valuation ratio of 1x forward P/B. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Stocks We Like Even More

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2025, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.

Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

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