Identifying stocks with significant upside potential requires a keen eye on fundamental business momentum and sustainable growth trajectories. While short-term market volatility is inevitable, equities ultimately reflect the underlying performance of their respective companies. Investors seeking substantial returns should target businesses demonstrating robust expansion and consistent growth, particularly those trading at reasonable valuations relative to earnings.
Two compelling candidates fitting this profile are DoorDash (NASDAQ: DASH) and Viking Holdings (NYSE: VIK).
[Image: Green arrows pointing up.]1. DoorDash
DoorDash stands as a rapidly expanding logistics platform connecting customers with local merchants for convenient delivery services. The company generates revenue through multiple streams, including merchant commissions, delivery fees, subscription services, and advertising. Its financial trajectory underscores its growth potential, with revenues surging from $4.9 billion in 2021 to $13.7 billion in 2025.
The platform has emerged as a dominant force in grocery delivery and maintains strong momentum across restaurant and retail segments. Over the past three years, the stock has appreciated by 141%, mirroring the company’s operational excellence. During the second quarter, revenue increased 36% year-over-year, fueled by robust delivery volumes and expanding DashPass subscriptions.
A reinforcing growth cycle benefits DoorDash: revenue growth enables continuous product enhancements, which in turn boost order frequency and attract more DashPass members. Habit formation plays a crucial role—once customers subscribe to DashPass, usage tends to become routine. In Q2, DashPass users accounted for 75% of all U.S. grocery and retail orders.
Expansion opportunities abound internationally despite intensified competition. DoorDash currently ranks second in key markets such as the UK, Italy, Germany, and Canada. Management noted during the Q2 earnings call that the company is outpacing competitors in these regions.
Although delivery remains a low-margin sector due to rivalry from players like Uber Eats and Instacart, DoorDash has demonstrated improved profitability. Operating profits shifted from -$579 million in 2023 to $723 million in 2025, highlighting the company’s ability to optimize pricing strategies while maintaining competitive positioning.
Trading at a forward P/E ratio of 34, DoorDash presents an attractive valuation if it achieves the projected 44% annualized earnings growth, potentially delivering market-beating returns over the next five years.
2. Viking Holdings
The cruise industry continues experiencing robust demand, significantly benefiting Viking Holdings—one of the sector’s leading operators. Specializing in both ocean and river cruises, including unique Mississippi itineraries, the company leverages a scalable and profitable business model. Each new vessel is designed to closely mirror existing ships, enhancing operational efficiency and consistency.
Since its IPO in May 2024, Viking’s shares have risen 253%, with sustained demand suggesting further upside. For the second quarter of 2026, revenue grew 16% year-over-year, accompanied by an 18% increase in operating profit. These figures highlight the company’s capacity for profitable expansion.
Key differentiators include a relatively young fleet that reduces maintenance expenses and streamlined ship designs that enhance operational effectiveness. However, investing in cruise stocks during peak travel periods carries inherent risks, such as economic slowdowns or unforeseen disruptions affecting consumer spending.
Despite these concerns, forward-looking indicators remain positive. As of August 9, 2026, 2027 bookings were already 21% higher than the previous season, enabling better planning for capacity allocation, investment decisions, and pricing strategies.
Valued at 26 times forward earnings, Viking’s stock commands a premium compared to peers like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, which trade below 15 times forward estimates. Nonetheless, this valuation gap largely reflects Viking’s superior growth prospects and enhanced return on invested capital.
Should Viking achieve the anticipated 26% annualized earnings growth, it is well-positioned to deliver above-market returns over the next five years.
Disclosure: John Ballard holds no positions in the mentioned stocks. The Motley Fool owns shares and recommends DoorDash and Viking Holdings. Additional recommendations include Carnival Corp., Instacart, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool adheres to a strict disclosure policy.
“2 Monster Stocks to Buy and Hold for at Least the Next 5 Years” was originally published by The Motley Fool.
