3 Brilliant Stocks to Buy With $1,000 and Hold Forever

Investing in the stock market is a wise decision that, with enough discipline and patience, can lead to riches and financial freedom.

Successful investors know that a well-diversified portfolio of quality stocks is key. By spreading your investments across various well-run companies with competitive advantages, you position yourself to capitalize on economic growth and let the magic of compounding work for you.

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Here are three brilliant stocks to kick-start your portfolio and set you on the road to success.

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Progressive

Investors often overlook the insurance industry, which could be seen as old-fashioned and rather boring. However, one company that continues to innovate and dominate the industry with its top-notch underwriting is Progressive (NYSE: PGR).

Progressive is the second-largest automotive insurer in the U.S. today, trailing only State Farm. For decades, Progressive has displayed excellent underwriting in the highly competitive insurance market and has rewarded investors handsomely in the process. For example, if you had bought $10,000 in Progressive three decades ago, that investment would be worth over $1.7 million today!

This insurer has long committed to consistently earning an underwriting profit of at least $4 on every $100 in premiums written. As a result, it has embraced technology and was an early adopter of telematics, or pricing policies based on drivers' habits instead of traditional demographics. The company provides personalized rates to attract lower-risk, quality drivers.

This commitment to underwriting profitability is vital for Progressive's long-term success. Another benefit of owning shares is that the product will always be in demand, and it can grow alongside the economy. The company also has pricing power that enables it to raise premiums and adjust to rising costs amid high inflation. If you're seeking stable growth long-term, Progressive is an excellent blue chip stock to own today.

Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) shares some similarities with Progressive. One of Berkshire's numerous privately held companies includes GEICO, which it acquired in 1996. GEICO is the third-largest automotive insurer in the U.S., and it has made excellent progress in its underwriting to catch up with Progressive in recent years.

In addition to GEICO, Berkshire owns several other insurers, such as National Indemnity, General Re, and Alleghany. These businesses combined made up $22.7 billion of its $47.4 billion operating earnings last year.

Berkshire owns numerous businesses across other industries as well, including railroads, consumer staples, energy, and manufacturing. These companies also have strengths, like pricing power and steady, stable growth alongside the economy. In addition, Berkshire has $334 billion in investable capital and is collecting massive amounts of interest on safe U.S. Treasuries while Warren Buffett and his team await good investment opportunities.

Berkshire Hathaway provides exposure to the broader economy with its numerous holding companies, which can grow as the economy grows but also provide resilience across economic cycles. This, coupled with Berkshire's strong financial position and patience in finding quality investments, makes it an excellent choice for long-term investors today.

Tradeweb Markets

Tradeweb Markets (NASDAQ: TW) brought U.S. Treasury trading into the technological age in the 1990s with its trading platform. The company has become a go-to platform for big institutional investors who want to buy or sell Treasuries and other financial instruments, including stocks, bonds, options, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Over the past several years, the market for Treasuries and corporate bonds has exploded. Treasury bills and bonds are highly active, liquid financial instruments actively traded and invested in by banks, insurance companies, and other professional investors are active in these instruments. Additionally, the U.S. national debt continues to grow, and Treasuries issuance is a crucial component of government funding.

Tradeweb has also done an excellent job forging partnerships and gaining market share across its various instruments. For instance, since 2019, its share of the U.S. Treasury market has gone from 12.3% to 23.4%. Over that same period, its share of the U.S. investment-grade bond market has doubled to 26.2% while nearly tripling its share of the U.S. high-yield bond market to 10%.

Markets are becoming more active, and Tradeweb continues to expand its offerings. With global debt rising, Tradeweb is well-positioned to benefit, making it another solid stock to scoop up today.

Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity

Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $315,521!*
• Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $40,476!*
• Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $495,070!*

Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of March 14, 2025

Courtney Carlsen has positions in Progressive. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway and Progressive. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.