Large-cap stocks are known for their staying power and ability to weather market storms better than smaller competitors. However, their sheer size makes it more challenging to maintain high growth rates as they’ve already captured significant portions of their markets.
This dynamic can trouble even the most skilled investors, but luckily for you, we started StockStory to help you navigate these trade-offs and uncover exceptional companies that break the mold. That said, here are three large-cap stocks with attractive long-term potential.
PayPal (PYPL)
Market Cap: $38.16 billion
Originally spun off from eBay in 2015 after being acquired by the auction giant in 2002, PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) operates a global digital payments platform that enables consumers and merchants to send, receive, and process payments online and in person.
Why Are We Positive On PYPL?
- Industry-leading 19.9% return on equity demonstrates management’s skill in finding high-return investments
PayPal’s stock price of $41.47 implies a valuation ratio of 7.7x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
Market Cap: $197 billion
With roots dating back to 1888 when founder Dr. Wallace Abbott began producing precise, dosage-form medications, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) develops and sells a diverse range of healthcare products including medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals.
Why Do We Like ABT?
- Sizeable revenue base of $44.33 billion gives it economies of scale and advantages over new entrants due to the industry’s regulatory complexity
- Robust free cash flow margin of 16.4% gives it many options for capital deployment
- Stellar returns on capital showcase management’s ability to surface highly profitable business ventures
At $112.90 per share, Abbott Laboratories trades at 19.8x forward P/E. Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free.
Elevance Health (ELV)
Market Cap: $76.28 billion
Formerly known as Anthem until its 2022 rebranding, Elevance Health (NYSE: ELV) is one of America's largest health insurers, serving approximately 47 million medical members through its network-based managed care plans.
Why Does ELV Stand Out?
- Products and services resonate with customers, evidenced by its respectable 10.3% annualized sales growth over the last five years
- Enormous revenue base of $197.6 billion gives it leverage over plan holders and advantageous reimbursement terms with healthcare providers
- Market-beating returns on capital illustrate that management has a knack for investing in profitable ventures
Elevance Health is trading at $346.22 per share, or 13.3x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Stocks We Like Even More
The market’s up big this year - but there’s a catch. Just 4 stocks account for half the S&P 500’s entire gain. That kind of concentration makes investors nervous, and for good reason. While everyone piles into the same crowded names, smart investors are hunting quality where no one’s looking - and paying a fraction of the price. Check out the high-quality names we’ve flagged in our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 244% over the last five years (as of June 30, 2025).
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
