The statistician in me says that the U.S. stock market will be markedly higher five years from now. Based on around 100 years of data, that's what the odds point to. Depending on who you ask, the average bear market -- a stock market decline of 20% or more -- lasts between nine and 12 months. And we're roughly in that range now.

By contrast, the average bull market lasts for years, and the next one could potentially carry us to the five-year mark, which is why I'd be willing to bet the market will be higher at that time. Therefore, it won't be easy for stocks to beat the market over the next half-decade -- it never is. But PubMatic (NASDAQ: PUBM) and Block (NYSE: SQ) are two companies I believe could get the job done.

There are only a few public digital-advertising companies, including demand-side platforms like The Trade Desk and supply-side platforms like PubMatic. But make no mistake: There are scores of privately held players on both sides of the business, and they're all vying for the same customers. The space is far more competitive than investors might think, and market share is important.

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Source Fool.com