I'm sure most investors know that the stock market is perhaps the best tool there is to build lasting wealth. For example, the S&P 500 has produced an annualized return of 10% historically. Given enough time, even relatively small sums of capital can turn into huge amounts.

But some individual businesses have fared much better. One top retail stock has produced a total return of 2,714,000% since its initial public offering in 1981. If you invested just $1,000 in this company back then, you'd have a jaw-dropping $27 million today.

The business I just described is none other than Home Depot (NYSE: HD). Let's learn more about its rise over the years before considering its investment merits today.

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Source Fool.com