Throughout the past century, few long-term investments have paid off as well as the stock market. A broad index of stocks has returned around 10% on average over the long haul, and some individual stocks have returned more. Stocks have provided a better return than precious metals and bonds over this time frame. Some stocks pay out dividends, and these companies have tended to return more than companies that have not paid out dividends. Here are a few stocks to buy and hold from 2020 onward.

Microsoft

Originally, Microsoft (MSFT) was known as a software company that provided operating systems. Today, the company first founded by Bill Gates is much more. It's true that the Windows operating system is still a major source of revenue. However, Microsoft also earns money from monthly subscriptions to its Office suite that provides word processing, data processing and publishing programs. Furthermore, the company offers software that provides the ability to hold online meetings that should continue to be valuable after the COVID pandemic subsides. Additionally, Microsoft's investment in cloud computing services stand to bring in revenue for decades to come. The company pays a relatively low yield of around 1%, but its earnings cover it easily.

AT&T

At one time, AT&T (T) was a stodgy utility company that provided landline telephone service. Today, that business still exists. However, it doesn't make up the majority of the company's revenue. Wireless phones and satellite television make up a larger share of AT&T's business. With the purchase of Time Warner and DirecTV, AT&T is a communications and entertainment giant. Despite taking on some major debt, the company currently has a dividend yield that's just shy of 7%, and that payout is covered with current free cash flow. While price appreciation has not been robust in recent years, those who decide to reinvest their dividends should see that income increase by around 8% to 9% annually if they buy now and recent increases hold up into the future.

Alibaba

Alibaba (BABA) is effectively the Chinese version of Amazon. It operates in a market of more than 1.3 billion people who just happen to live in the second-biggest economy in the world. China's middle class is growing rapidly, and that means there will be an increasing demand for many consumer goods. Alibaba can provide the items the emergent middle class is looking for. Additionally, many retailers from the US and other nations purchase items from Alibaba, and this should contribute to increased growth over the long run. According to the experts at Money Morning, “For such a large company, Alibaba is still growing its earnings at a breakneck pace. For the full year 2020, BABA is expected to earn $7.20 per share. That would be a 29% increase from FY 2019.”

The company has also started to expand beyond retail into cloud computing and entertainment. Because of its recent track record, this is one of the best stocks to buy now. Alibaba does not currently pay a dividend, but the company has a healthy revenue stream. Therefore, the company could start paying dividends in the future, and those who purchase at today's prices will get in at the ground floor of what could be some impressive dividend growth in the future.

Buying a broad index of stocks can be a great way to build wealth over time. If you're looking to make money in the future, these three stocks could provide you with some impressive growth and income provided you buy them and hold them for the long run.