CommSec recently released a report on the best-performing major stocks of the last 20 years. Some highlights include:

• Methodology focused on total shareholder returns over share price appreciation

• There’s been a 433-per cent growth on total returns of Aussie shares since 1991

• Five of the top best 28 stocks delivered returns of over 100 per cent per annum

• None of the top 28 companies identified by S&P/ASX50 has produced a negative return in 20 years

• Fortescue was an aberration, with a 50829.20 per cent return compared with the second best-performing stock, Newcrest, which produced a 992.30 per cent return

• Four of the top 10 stocks since 1991 were also the top-performing stocks since 2001 – Fortescue was the top stock over both periods

• Ten of the 42 best-performing stocks since 2001 produced negative returns

Top 10 stocks since 1991

Fortescue Metals Group

Sonic Healthcare Limited

Leighton Holdings Limited

Wesfarmers

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Iluka Resources Limited

Origin Energy Limited

Woodside Petroleum Limited

ANZ

QBE Insurance Group Limited

Top 10 stocks since 2001

Fortescue Metals Group

Newcrest Mining Limited

Oil Search Limited

Orica Limited

Origin Energy Limited

Iluka Resources Limited

BHP Billiton Limited

ASX Limited

QBE Insurance Group Limited

Woodside Petroleum Limited