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Sustained Value Creation: The Test of the Best

Delivering net profits and real top-line growth year after year is a rare feat. The companies that achieve it reward their investors handsomely.

By Hernan Saenz, Guy Brusselmans, Matthew Crupi, Sophie Horrocks, and Thomas Gerber

Published on August 06, 2026

Real, profitable growth is tough

Among top revenue earners, few companies met our definition of sustained value creator (SVC) for 10 years in a row since 2015.

Double-digit shareholder returns are getting harder to achieve

But making the list reaps rewards

On average, SVCs delivered twice the total shareholder return of other top revenue leaders.

All-stars delivered six times the TSR of other companies

Last year, the 47 companies that have been SVCs every single year for two decades delivered far more for investors than the other top 2,000 revenue-producing companies.

Here’s what it takes to be an SVC

Bain research shows that these elements of successful growth strategies produce superior financials:

Market and portfolio. Which businesses should be in or out of our portfolio? How should we manage our exposures? Distinctive assets. What are the differentiating assets and capabilities we can leverage to create value? Leadership positions. Where can we develop or defend leadership positions that provide superior economic returns?

All of which add up to

Measurable outcomes: How will the execution of our strategy be visible in the P&L and balance sheet and drive superior returns for investors?

Authors

Hernan Saenz

Partner, Dallas
Guy Brusselmans

Partner, Stockholm
Matthew Crupi

Partner, Dallas
Sophie Horrocks

Partner, London
Thomas Gerber

Practice Director, Munich