6 Stocks I’d Be Comfortable Holding for the Next 20 Years

These Are Built for Growth, Income, and Long-Term Stability

Most people spend more time trying to beat the market than actually building wealth. They stress over charts, chase the next big trend, jump in and out of trades, and end up holding a scattered mess of stocks with no clear purpose.

But the truth is, if your goal is to build long-term freedom, you don’t need 100 ideas.
You just need a handful of companies that print cash, reward shareholders, and stay relevant for decades.

The more my dividend portfolio grows, the more I value simplicity. I care about businesses that make money consistently. I care about rising income, not hype. I want to own companies I understand, that pay me to be patient, and that I never feel pressured to sell just because the market has a bad month.

These are the kinds of stocks I can buy and forget about because I trust them to keep doing what they’ve done: generate income, grow over time, and help fund a life where work is optional.

The best part is that these six holdings can create a diversified portfolio that touches on most sectors.

If I had to pick just a few stocks to hold for the next 20 years, this is where I’d start.

As a disclosure, I maintain a position in all of these companies.

💻 1. Microsoft (MSFT)

Microsoft is one of the rare companies that dominates in multiple arenas—enterprise software, cloud computing, AI infrastructure, and increasingly, consumer entertainment.

The company has become a pillar of the modern economy, powering everything from Fortune 500 IT systems to your desktop spreadsheet. But one area investors often overlook when thinking about Microsoft’s long-term potential is its growing position in the gaming industry.

Microsoft owns Xbox, and over the past few years, it’s been making a strategic shift—from hardware and one-time game purchases to a recurring subscription model that mirrors its successful enterprise SaaS playbook.

At the center of this is Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s all-access subscription for gamers. Instead of paying $60 for every new title, users pay a flat monthly fee to access a growing library of games—similar to Netflix, but for interactive content. With over 30 million subscribers and growing, this platform gives Microsoft a powerful, sticky stream of recurring revenue that adds diversity to its income base.

But this isn't just about gamers. It’s about the future of content distribution, digital ownership, and recurring cash flow. Microsoft is using the same model that made Office 365 and Azure billion-dollar cash machines—deliver ongoing value, keep people subscribed, and let the revenue build over time.

Add to that Microsoft’s massive acquisition of Activision Blizzard—one of the largest gaming content libraries on the planet—and you can see how serious they are about owning the future of gaming as a service.

Why I’d hold it:

• Recurring revenue from Microsoft 365, Azure, and now Xbox Game Pass

• Pricing power and unmatched enterprise presence

• Exposure to consumer trends, AI infrastructure, and entertainment

• A strong dividend with consistent growth, and still plenty of room to expand

• A company that has already reinvented itself—and is doing it again in new markets

Microsoft gives you exposure to some of the most powerful trends of the next 10 to 20 years. And it does it while paying you a growing dividend, year after year.

If you want a stock that’s already dominant—and still forward-looking—Microsoft is as close to a foundational forever stock as it gets.

🛒 2. Kroger (KR)

Grocery stores aren’t exciting. But Kroger doesn’t need to be. It’s one of the largest supermarket chains in the U.S., and it thrives on consistency. Even in downturns, people still buy food—and Kroger continues to generate dependable cash flow.

It also pays a healthy dividend and has been quietly increasing it year after year. With a strong private-label business and digital growth through delivery and pickup, it continues to evolve without sacrificing stability.

Why I’d hold it for 20 years:

• Essential, evergreen demand: People need food in every economic cycle. That makes Kroger a dependable source of cash flow, even during downturns.

• Disciplined capital allocation: A solid dividend, ongoing buybacks, and smart reinvestment into digital and logistics keep shareholder value compounding.

• Underrated tech and data engine: From its Ocado automation partnership to its proprietary retail media network (Kroger Precision Marketing), it’s quietly becoming a tech-savvy operator.

• Defensive and durable: This isn’t a business you need to babysit. It just works. That peace of mind is invaluable in a volatile market.

Kroger’s dividend is rock-solid. With a payout ratio of just 27.9%, it retains plenty of earnings to reinvest in operations, fund innovations, and weather economic downturns. This low payout ratio gives the dividend cushion, even in periods of slower growth or rising costs—earning it an A- safety grade relative to other Consumer Staples stocks.

Kroger has increased its dividend for 17 consecutive years, with a 5-year growth rate of 14.87%. That’s not just consistent—it’s impressive. It reflects management’s commitment to shareholder returns and an underlying business strong enough to support double-digit dividend hikes.

This growth profile earns it a “B” for Dividend Growth, outperforming many peers in the grocery and retail space. Even if the yield starts small, that kind of compounding adds up fast.

At 1.87%, Kroger’s forward dividend yield might look underwhelming—especially compared to REITs or utilities. But it’s important to understand the context: Kroger isn’t a high-yield stock. It’s a total return play—blending modest current income with consistent dividend hikes and long-term capital appreciation.

The D+ yield grade simply reflects how Kroger stacks up against higher-yielding Consumer Staples companies, not the quality or reliability of its dividend.

Kroger earns an A- for consistency, with nearly two decades of unbroken dividend growth. It didn’t slash or suspend its dividend during economic crises. Instead, it remained dependable—year after year. That kind of track record matters, especially when you're looking for holdings that can anchor a long-term income portfolio.

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🎰 3. VICI Properties (VICI)

VICI is a REIT that owns some of the most iconic real estate in the world—like Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and the Venetian. But here’s the key: it does not operate casinos. It just owns the real estate and collects rent from long-term, inflation-protected leases.

The cash flow is stable. The tenants are sticky. And the dividend is solid. This is one of the best income-generating REITs in my portfolio.

Why I’d hold it:

• Triple-net lease model with inflation escalators

• High yield with dependable payout

• Unique exposure to experiential real estate

• Long-term cash flow in a niche sector with low competition

I took a deeper dive into VICI in a prior article that I published. You can check that out below.

🚜 4. Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AGM)

The Unsung Backbone of Rural America—and a Quiet Dividend Powerhouse

Some of the best long-term investments aren’t flashy. They don’t dominate headlines or draw crowds on earnings day. But they serve essential roles in the economy—quietly, profitably, and consistently. That’s exactly what makes AGM such a compelling 20-year hold.

Key Highlights:

• Market Niche: Farmland finance and rural credit—a space with limited competition and government support

• Yield & Growth: Attractive dividend yield with steady annual increases

• Risk Profile: Lower credit risk due to strong underwriting and government-backed role

• Longevity Factors: Built-in demand, capital-efficient model, and quiet execution

AGM, also known as Farmer Mac, is a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) with a focused mission: providing liquidity and stability to America’s rural and agricultural lending markets. Think of it as the Fannie Mae of farmland—but with less political baggage and more operational discipline.

Its core business is purchasing qualified agricultural loans from rural banks and credit institutions, then securitizing or retaining those loans on its balance sheet. This gives small banks access to capital while allowing AGM to earn spread income on safe, asset-backed cash flows. It’s a niche, but it’s vital—and growing.

No matter how advanced technology gets, people still need to eat. Agriculture isn’t going away—it’s foundational. As long as American farms exist, there will be demand for reliable credit and liquidity in the rural lending system. AGM sits at the heart of that ecosystem, playing a role that’s hard to replace.

Despite being under the radar, AGM has been consistently profitable for years. It benefits from low credit losses, strict underwriting standards, and conservative capital management. Its balance sheet is strong, and its earnings are stable—making it a quiet compounder with little investor attention (which is a good thing if you like value).

AGM offers an above-average dividend yield, with regular increases that reflect the health of its core operations. While it won’t make headlines like big tech dividend hikes, it has a track record of rewarding patient investors. It’s a true income play, bolstered by conservative financials and steady long-term cash flow.

If you’re looking for high-yield investments with real staying power, AGM is a gem hiding in plain sight.

Agricultural lending tends to be more stable than broader credit markets, with lower default rates and less speculative activity. That makes AGM a defensive play—one that can withstand market turbulence and economic downturns with far less drama than traditional banks or financial stocks.

🚬 5. Philip Morris International (PM)

PM isn’t for everyone, but as a dividend investor, I look at the fundamentals. This company has strong global reach, wide margins, and a loyal customer base. It’s also transitioning aggressively into smokeless products, which could drive long-term growth.

The dividend yield is generous, and management has consistently shown a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

Why I’d hold it:

• High, stable yield

• Massive global cash flow

• Strong brand portfolio and transition to next-gen products

• Dividend-focused management team

📱 6. Qualcomm (QCOM)

Most people think of Apple or Samsung when they hear the word “smartphone.” But few realize that the true heartbeat of these devices, the chips that enable them to connect, process, and communicate often come from Qualcomm.

Qualcomm is more than just a semiconductor company. It’s the infrastructure of mobile intelligence. Its chips and licensing technologies power everything from your iPhone and Android to 5G base stations, autonomous cars, wearables, and the next generation of AI-driven edge computing.

At its core, Qualcomm is a connectivity giant; one that profits not just from selling chips, but also from the intellectual property behind those chips. Its massive patent portfolio allows it to collect licensing fees from virtually every major phone maker in the world. That means even if a competitor doesn’t use a Qualcomm chip, they’re still likely paying Qualcomm to use the underlying tech.

Smartphones aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’ve become as essential as electricity and running water. People upgrade phones every 2–4 years—not because they want to, but because connectivity is life now.

Consider this:

• There are over 6.8 billion smartphone users globally, and that number is still rising.

• Emerging markets are expanding their digital infrastructure and smartphone penetration rapidly.

• As new features like AI processing, AR/VR, satellite connectivity, and security enhancements evolve, phones need more powerful chips than ever before.

This guarantees recurrent demand for mobile chips—and Qualcomm remains one of the top suppliers globally.

Even in recessions, smartphones are among the last things people give up. They are tools for work, communication, banking, entertainment, and navigation. If you have to cut spending, you're more likely to cancel a subscription than skip your next phone upgrade.

Qualcomm wins every time that upgrade happens.

Qualcomm isn’t just a growth engine—it’s a legitimate income play, too. It has grown its dividend for over a decade, and its payout is well-supported by free cash flow. That’s rare in the semiconductor world, where many peers reinvest everything or run tighter margins.

Its dividend is:

• Reliable, with strong free cash flow backing it

• Growing, with consistent annual hikes for over 10 years

• Resilient, thanks to diversified revenue from chips and licensing

Why I’d Hold It for 20 Years

• Global leadership in wireless tech and 5G innovation

• Sticky IP moat—most smartphone makers have to pay Qualcomm, directly or indirectly

• Recurring revenue from device cycles and licensing

• Exposure to future growth areas like automotive, AR/VR, and edge AI

• Strong dividend profile despite being in a high-growth sector

Final Thought: Long-Term Wealth Is Boring on Purpose

These stocks aren’t about moonshots or quick flips. They’re about income. Stability. Longevity.

Owning great businesses and letting them do what they’ve done for decades—compound.

If you want a portfolio that works while you sleep, start with companies that generate real cash, serve real customers, and pay you to be patient.

These six tick every box.