With many well-known household products in various categories, like Head & Shoulders shampoo, Crest toothpaste, Tide laundry detergent, and Bounty paper towels, Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) needs no introduction. The business, founded in 1837, sports a current market cap of $371 billion.

This consumer staples stock has been a huge winner. If you invested $10,000 in Procter & Gamble 40 years ago in February 1984, you'd be sitting on a monster balance today of more than $1.4 million, including dividends. This gain demonstrates the power of compounding over long periods of time.

Below is a look at the factors leading up to the stock's impressive performance. Then you can determine if this business is a smart investment today.

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Source Fool.com