Investors are told, and rightly so, that long-term investing is an excellent strategy for building wealth in the stock market. But most people may not realize just how ruthless the corporate world is.

According to studies by consulting firm McKinsey & Company, the average life span of a company in the S&P 500 -- yep, that index of 500 of America's most prominent corporations -- is just 18 years. Most companies eventually get bought out, merge with another, or go bust.

Finding companies with staying power that can steadily grow for decades, building generational wealth along the way, isn't easy. That doesn't mean it's impossible.

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Source Fool.com