There's no denying that investing in the stock market is one of the best ways to build wealth. The S&P 500 has produced a respectable return over the long run. But individual businesses have fared significantly better. Just look at Home Depot (NYSE: HD).

This top-retail stock has generated a total return, including dividends, of 2,786,000% since its initial public offering (IPO) in September of 1981. If you invested $1,000 at that time, you'd have nearly $28 million today. That's a spectacular gain.

Let's take a closer look at Home Depot's monster success. Then, investors can look at the company today with a fresh perspective before deciding if the stock is a smart buying opportunity.

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Source Fool.com