2 Monster Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold for 10 Years: Vertex and Shopify's Decade of Dominance

In a world of fleeting trends and short-term volatility, true long-term winners are defined by their ability to innovate, diversify, and dominate their markets for decades. Today, two companies—Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) and Shopify (SHOP)—stand out as rare examples of firms with unstoppable growth trajectories, robust financial foundations, and strategic moats that will only widen by 2035.

Why these two? Vertex is revolutionizing drug development with breakthrough therapies across cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and pain management, while Shopify is redefining global commerce through its platform-driven ecosystem. Both are navigating current challenges—IP disputes, macroeconomic headwinds—with agility, and their valuations remain compelling relative to their growth profiles. Let's dissect why these are buys to hold for the next decade.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals: A Biotech Titan with a Pipeline Built for the Next Decade

Vertex's Q1 2025 results underscore its transition from a cystic fibrosis (CF) specialist to a multi-therapy powerhouse. Revenue rose 3% to $2.77 billion, driven by TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO's dominance and the early success of ALYFTREK, its next-gen CF treatment. But the real magic lies in its pipeline:

1. Diversifying Revenue Streams:
2. CASGEVY (sickle cell/beta thalassemia): With over 65 global treatment centers activated and 90 patients treated, Vertex is scaling a gene-editing therapy with a $300k+ price tag. Approvals in Europe and the Middle East are expanding its reach.
3. JOURNAVX (non-opioid pain): Launched in early 2025, it's already generated 20,000+ prescriptions. With 94 million lives covered and legislative tailwinds (e.g., NOPAIN Act), this drug could redefine pain management.

4. Zimislecel (type 1 diabetes): Its Phase 3 trial is complete, with regulatory filings planned for 2026. If approved, it could become a $2B+ therapy by 2030.

5. Financial Fortitude:
   Vertex sits on $11.4 billion in cash, with R&D investments (up 12% to $1.2B) funding 12+ programs in areas like kidney disease and gene therapy. Its non-GAAP net profit margin of 39.7% ensures ample capital to fuel growth without dilution.

6. Resilience to Challenges:
   A 5% dip in international revenue due to IP issues in Russia? A “limited and isolated matter,” says Vertex. Its CF franchise still commands 90%+ market share in eligible patients, and its pipeline reduces reliance on any single drug.

Visualize Vertex's trajectory:

Shopify: The Commerce Platform with a Global Ecosystem Play

Shopify isn't just a platform for small businesses—it's a full-stack commerce ecosystem that's outperforming expectations. Q1 2025 revenue surged 27% to $2.36 billion, with GMV up 22.8% to $74.75 billion. The key to its longevity?

1. Dominance in Payments and Ecosystem Lock-In:
2. Shopify Payments: Penetration hit 64%, processing $22 billion in GMV. Its 2.9% + $0.30 fee model ensures recurring revenue as merchants scale.

3. AI-Driven Tools: Features like Shop app recommendations and automated inventory management keep businesses on the platform. The Shop app's GMV soared 94% year-over-year, proving its direct-to-consumer appeal.

4. Global Expansion and Merchant Stickiness:

5. Europe's GMV jumped 36%, and B2B segments surged 109%. Shopify's localized solutions (e.g., multi-currency support) are cementing its position as the go-to for global brands.

6. Free Cash Flow Margin: At 15%, up from 12% in 2024, Shopify is proving it can grow profitably even as it scales.

7. Navigating Macroeconomic Headwinds:
   While tariffs and SMB profitability concerns linger, Shopify's platform network effects are a moat. Over 2 million merchants rely on its tools, and switching costs are high. Its $5.5 billion in cash gives it flexibility to acquire niche competitors (e.g., Order Desk) or invest in AI infrastructure.

Visualize Shopify's scale:

Why These Are 10-Year Buys—And Not a Fad

• Vertex: With a pipeline targeting $30B+ in potential peak sales across its therapies, Vertex is a once-in-a-generation biotech story. Its pricing power in rare diseases, coupled with late-stage assets, ensures steady revenue streams for decades.
• Shopify: The shift to online commerce isn't a trend—it's irreversible. Shopify's ecosystem (payments, apps, analytics) creates a virtuous cycle where more merchants = more data = better tools = more retention.

Valuation Check:
- Vertex trades at ~12x 2025E revenue, reasonable for a firm with 10+ years of pipeline visibility.
- Shopify's P/S ratio of ~1.5x is a steal given its 20%+ revenue growth and expanding margins.

Final Verdict: Buy Both—And Hold

Vertex and Shopify aren't just growth stocks—they're structural winners in their industries. Vertex's drug pipeline and pricing power ensure it remains a leader in gene therapy and specialty pharma, while Shopify's platform is the backbone of modern commerce.

For investors with a 10-year horizon, these stocks offer asymmetric upside. The risks? Regulatory delays for Vertex or macro slowdowns for Shopify. But with $11B and $5.5B in cash reserves, respectively, and no peers close to their scale, these companies are built to weather storms—and dominate the next decade.

Act now: These are buys for the next 10 years. The compounding will be extraordinary.