It's been 25 years since the Dotcom Bubble burst, and the stock market has transformed dramatically during that time. An analysis from Bespoke Investment Group outlines some of the most remarkable stock performances in the last quarter-century, reflecting not just recovery but exceptional growth after the internet crash of 2000.
Bespoke Investment Group has identified Monster Beverage Corporation as the leading performer in the Russell 1000 stock index, reporting a staggering 127,477% increase since the bubble burst on March 24, 2000. This remarkable statistic highlights Monster's enduring appeal and market dominance in the energy drink sector.
Following closely is Nvidia Corporation, which has seen an impressive gain of 66,004% over the same period. Although these two companies are often associated with the tech boom, Monster Beverage stands out as a non-tech company claiming the top spot among the high-gainers.
Investors who placed $1,000 into Monster at the time of the Dotcom crash would now see that investment balloon to approximately $1,275,770—an extraordinary example of growth potential in the stock market. In contrast, if the same investor chose Nvidia, their stake would have increased to about $661,038.
Monster Beverage's performance is even more remarkable when considering overall market trends. According to Bespoke, stocks in the Russell 1000 have averaged gains of over 2,600% since the Dotcom Bubble peaked. Even more staggering is the fact that 19 stocks have achieved the status of "100-baggers," indicating a growth rate of 10,000% since March 2000.
Among the elite group of 100-baggers are renowned companies such as Texas Pacific Land, Deckers Outdoor, and Old Dominion Freight Line. A $1,000 investment in Texas Pacific Land back in 2000 would now amount to around $626,000. Similarly, Deckers Outdoor would yield about $530,000, and Old Dominion Freight Line around $305,000.
Interestingly, while tech stocks typically dominate discussions of extreme growth, only Nvidia and Apple have managed to classify as 100-baggers among the tech giants. Other major technology firms like Meta Platforms, Alphabet, and Tesla have experienced respectable growth since their IPOs—approximately 1,300%, 6,800%, and 22,000%, respectively—but they haven’t reached the same heights as the energy-drink giant.
Moreover, the landscape of stock performance has changed notably since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which serves as another critical reference point in market history. March 2025 marks the anniversary of the market's bottom following the pandemic, identified on March 23, 2020. During this five-year period, energy-oriented stocks have led the way, dominating the top gainers.
Since the Covid crash, energy stocks have claimed four out of the five top-performing slots in the Russell 1000. The only exception to this energy dominance is the Bitcoin-related stock MicroStrategy (MSTR), formerly known as MicroStrategy Incorporated. This showcases how investor sentiment has shifted dramatically in favor of energy and its recovery throughout the years.
The revival of GameStop has also captured public attention during this timeframe. The once struggling retailer is now up about 2,500% since March 23, 2020, reflecting the power of meme stocks and collective retail trading efforts. Similarly, Super Micro Computer has climbed 2,400%, and Vistra has increased by 1,000%, further showcasing the dynamic changes in stock valuations.
Reflecting on the shifts in the market landscape, it’s clear that while technology has reshaped much of the economy, other sectors—particularly energy and retail—have shown they can deliver remarkable returns even outside the traditional tech sphere. As we commemorate 25 years since the Dotcom Bubble burst, these stories of stock success serve as both a lesson and an inspiration for investors navigating the complex world of finance.
