Over the past decade, 116 companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges have showed investors returns of more than 1,000%.

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It’s easy to pick a stock that will earn you a stand-out return in a single year. Well, okay, maybe not “easy,” but with just 12 months as a scorecard, there’s a lot in the world that can put the wind at a company’s back. In 2007, shipping companies had a fantastic year, thanks to a boom in commodities. In 2008, deep-discount retailers saw a major rally, in no small part because consumers were spooked by the financial crisis. (See the top stocks of the decade.)

Take a longer-term view and success is a little trickier. That’s why TIME asked investment-tracker Morningstar to pull together a list of the best-performing stocks over the past decade. On the eve of 2010, we figured it was time to take a look back and see which companies most thrived during the aughts. If a company can maintain its momentum over 10 years, maybe there’s something to be learned. (See the best business deals of 2009.)

Perusing the list of the top 200 companies (with a market cap of at least $250 million) produces a number of surprises. There is Apple, but no Microsoft. The Boston Beer Company makes an appearance, but not market leader Anheuser-Busch. Tractor Supply lands on the list; Wal-Mart doesn’t. Even with the economic crisis, a number of financial firms show up, including asset manager Blackrock, regional bank Iberiabank and homebuilder NVR (parent of Ryan Homes). The decade’s best industry: oil and natural gas. A full 34 companies — 17% of the list — either drill, transport, refine or sell the stuff. (See the worst business deals of 2009.)

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