**Value investing has been shown to be better than growth investing over the long term, though it very much always depends on the conditions of the market and the goals of the investor.** - [Growth stocks](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/growthstock.asp) are stocks that are "expected to grow sales and earnings at a faster rate than the market average." Investors can typically expect larger pay-offs in the future. - [Value stocks](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/valueinvesting.asp) are stocks that look to be trading for less than their book value. Investors who seek these out are hoping to benefit from underappreciated investment avenues. - [Studies](https://www.financial-planning.com/news/can-value-investing-still-trump-growth) have [indicated](https://seekingalpha.com/article/1491372-value-versus-growth-which-is-better) that value stocks seem to outperform growth stocks over a long timeframe (multi-year periods.) - Overall, however, there seems to be agreement that it all depends on the context of the investment: - "For example, value stocks tend to outperform during bear markets and economic recessions, while growth stocks tend to excel during bull markets or periods of economic expansion. This factor should, therefore, be taken into account by shorter-term investors or those seeking to time the markets," [writes](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/072415/value-or-growth-stocks-which-best.asp#citation-2) Mark P. Cussen for Investopedia.