Three Stocks to Buy That Offer Compelling Growth Potential

If you’re looking to deploy $500 into equities that can deliver substantial long-term returns, the current market presents several attractive opportunities. Rather than chasing trends, consider positioning yourself in companies with expanding addressable markets and accelerating financial momentum. Dutch Bros, SoFi Technologies, and MercadoLibre represent three distinct sectors where your capital could work toward meaningful wealth accumulation.

These stocks to buy offer different but complementary value propositions. Each operates in markets with considerable room for expansion, and each has demonstrated the operational efficiency necessary to capitalize on that growth. What makes these stocks particularly compelling for a $500 investment is their proven ability to grow revenues while maintaining disciplined financial management.

Dutch Bros: Expansion at Scale

Dutch Bros operates a coffee shop network with a clear geographic and operational runway ahead. The company currently maintains just over 1,000 locations nationwide—a significant milestone considering it had roughly half that number when it went public approximately four years ago. Yet management’s internal analyses suggest the platform could eventually support 7,000 stores, implying the current footprint represents less than 15% of its ultimate potential.

Beyond store count, Dutch Bros is demonstrating operational excellence. Same-store sales growth reached 5.7% year-over-year in the most recent quarter, signaling customer loyalty and pricing power in a competitive beverage market. The company has been methodical about product innovation, recently rolling out mobile ordering capabilities and introducing a food menu that complements its signature drink offerings. These initiatives feed into an evolving membership program designed to deepen customer engagement and frequency.

For investors seeking good stocks to buy with real expansion tailwinds, Dutch Bros merits consideration as a multi-year compounding vehicle.

SoFi Technologies: Capturing the Digital Banking Shift

The financial services sector continues to experience disruption from digital-first platforms, and SoFi Technologies exemplifies this trend. The online bank continues to set quarterly records for new customer acquisition, adding 905,000 net new members in the latest period. This consistent cadence of customer growth points to strong product-market fit and effective marketing efficiency.

Financial metrics reinforce the positive momentum. Adjusted net revenue growth accelerated to 38% year-over-year, while earnings per share improved from $0.05 to $0.11 on an annualized basis. What’s driving this performance? A comprehensive platform that offers cryptocurrency trading, competitive deposit rates, low fees across products, and an all-digital user experience that appeals to modern consumers. The company recently announced plans to launch global remittance services on blockchain infrastructure, further expanding its value proposition.

SoFi’s trajectory positions it among ascending banking institutions. Management aims to reach top-10 status among U.S. banks by deposit volume, a milestone that would unlock additional revenue opportunities as the customer base and deposits grow.

MercadoLibre: Commanding Position in Underpenetrated Markets

While less recognized in North American markets, MercadoLibre functions as the dominant e-commerce and fintech player across Latin America. The company’s regional significance is matched by market opportunity—e-commerce penetration in Latin America remains substantially below developed markets, creating a multi-year growth corridor.

MercadoLibre’s financial performance reflects this advantage. Total revenue climbed 49% year-over-year (on a currency-neutral basis), driven by a 35% increase in gross merchandise volume and a 54% expansion in total payment volume. These growth rates have become characteristic for the company, yet it maintains a 9.8% operating margin, demonstrating the scalability of its business model.

For those seeking good stocks to buy with international exposure, MercadoLibre offers exposure to two attractive verticals—e-commerce and digital payments—across markets with structural growth tailwinds. A $500 investment will provide a fractional share position, but gaining exposure to this trajectory remains worthwhile.

Evaluating Your $500 Investment

The case for these three stocks rests on several pillars: expanding total addressable markets, demonstrated ability to capture share within those markets, accelerating financial results, and disciplined capital allocation. Each company benefits from secular trends—retail convenience, financial democratization, and emerging market e-commerce adoption.

Investors who commit capital to stocks to buy today should adopt a multi-year perspective. These businesses are not mature, which means growth could continue to surprise to the upside. Conversely, near-term volatility should be anticipated. The probability of meaningful wealth creation improves substantially when you can maintain conviction through market cycles.

Consider these stocks worth buying as components of a diversified portfolio rather than concentrated bets. The combination addresses multiple economic exposures while maintaining focus on companies with structural competitive advantages and financial momentum that supports ongoing shareholder value creation.