Forget Apple and Amazon. The top-performing stock of the 21st century is Monster Beverage, returning a staggering 197,800% since January 1, 2000. This remarkable performance outpaces even tech giants like Nvidia, illustrating the power of a well-positioned company in a growing market.

Monster's success stems from several factors, including its strategic distribution deal with Coca-Cola in 2015. The energy drink market's addictive nature also plays a role, similar to how Altria dominated the last century. Unlike tech companies, Monster spends very little on R&D, freeing up capital for shareholder rewards.

This advantage allows Monster to focus on marketing and expansion. The company's impressive returns have made it a standout investment. While the article doesn't recommend buying the stock right now, it does point to the potential for similar returns in other sectors, as seen with Netflix and Nvidia in the past.

Investors should always research and understand the market. The Motley Fool's Stock Advisor has outperformed the S&P 500 significantly, and offers insights into which stocks to watch. Despite its current success, Monster's future depends on staying ahead of trends in the competitive beverage industry.