Some shares make investors rich slowly, not loudly. They don't always dominate the headlines, but year after year they keep doing the same thing: growing sales, expanding margins, and strengthening their competitive edge.
Over long periods, these types of businesses can quietly compound into substantial wealth.
If you're looking for ASX stocks that could do exactly that in the decade ahead, it could be worth checking out the three listed below that analysts rate as buys.
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DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)
DroneShield has emerged as one of Australia's most promising defence technology companies. It specialises in counter-drone systems, hardware and software designed to detect, track, and neutralise unauthorised drones. With security concerns rising globally, demand for this technology is increasing across defence, law enforcement, airports, and critical infrastructure.
What makes DroneShield a potential long-term compounder is its strong industry tailwinds and scalable technology. Governments around the world are boosting spending on defence technology, and DroneShield's AI-enabled systems are becoming more sophisticated with each iteration. Once the underlying platform is built, additional deployments become increasingly profitable, giving the business attractive long-term economics.
Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and $5.30 price target on its shares.
Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)
Another ASX stock that could be a top pick is Temple & Webster. It is one of Australia's leading online retailers in furniture, homewares, and home improvement, and it continues to take market share as more shoppers move online.
Its business model is highly scalable because it operates without physical stores, offers an enormous product range, and benefits from a strong private label offering that supports margins.
The long-term opportunity for Temple & Webster remains significant. Online penetration in the furniture and homewares category is still relatively low in Australia compared to major markets like the US and UK, which gives the company a long runway for growth. Management is also investing heavily in digital tools, AI-driven personalisation, and logistics improvements to increase repeat purchases and efficiency.
Bell Potter is also a fan of this one. It has a buy rating and $28.00 price target on its shares.
Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)
A third ASX stock that could compound over the next decade is Xero. Its cloud-based accounting platform has become essential for millions of small businesses across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and increasingly North America. Its subscription model provides predictable recurring revenue, and customer retention remains exceptionally high.
And with a total addressable market (TAM) estimated to be around 100 million, Xero has a significant long-term growth runway.
Macquarie is bullish on Xero. This week, the broker put an outperform rating and $230.30 price target on its shares.
