Caledonia Mining (CMCL) had the highest return between 1978 and 1984 by a US stock, returning 232,217.3%.

ASSET	YEARS	% RETURN
Caledonia Mining (CMCL)	1978-1984	232,217.31%
McDonald’s (MCD)	1978-1984	3,956.5%
Walmart (WMT)	1978-1984	1,503.45%
Home Depot (HD)	1978-1984	1,197.02%
PulteGroup (PHM)	1978-1984	1,147.01%
Jefferies Financial (JEF)	1978-1984	1,050.1%
Service Corporation International (SCI)	1978-1984	1,004.83%
Dillard's (DDS)	1978-1984	992.98%
Espey Mfg & Electronics (ESP)	1978-1984	894.68%
Lockheed Martin (LMT)	1978-1984	789.7%
General Dynamics (GD)	1978-1984	767.41%
Skyworks Solutions (SWKS)	1978-1984	764.1%
State Street (STT)	1978-1984	662.7%
Sysco (SYY)	1978-1984	650.21%
Revvity (RVTY)	1978-1984	627.82%
Altria (MO)	1978-1984	625%
Essential Utilities (WTRG)	1978-1984	559.32%
New York Times (NYT)	1978-1984	518.08%
Carlisle Companies (CSL)	1978-1984	509.03%
Boeing (BA)	1978-1984	477.78%
Standard Motor Products (SMP)	1978-1984	467.88%
Teradyne (TER)	1978-1984	462.13%
Tutor Perini (TPC)	1978-1984	455%
Flowers Foods (FLO)	1978-1984	452.08%
Robert Half International (RHI)	1978-1984	433.47%