VF Corp. (NYSE:VFC) may not be the first name that springs to mind when you think of a shopping trip, but it's got a whole slew of well-known consumer brands under its umbrella. Much like consumer goods companies such as Volcom (NASDAQ:VLCM) and Liz Claiborne (NYSE:LIZ), VF Corp. relies on peddling its wares through retail distributors that consumers know well.

In the fourth quarter, VF Corp. reported some fairly staid numbers. Net income inched up 1.8% to $127.5 million, or $1.13 per share. Revenues increased 4% to $1.65 billion. Although VF Corp. reported an impressive $451 million in free cash flow, that amount did decrease by 30.5% on a year-over-year basis.

In the first quarter, VF Corp. reported net income up 12% to $128.2 million, or $1.14 per share, although that was before effects from a change in accounting of stock-based compensation expenses. Revenue increased 5% to $1.67 billion.

The second quarter at VF Corp. found the apparel maker managing an 8% increase in sales and adjusted earnings up 11%. At the time, Fool contributor Stephen Simpson pointed out that VF Corp. also produces double-digit returns on capital on a fairly consistent basis, something investors like to see in a company.

In the third quarter, VF Corp. gave a strong showing, with earnings up 11.5% and sales up 11.6%. Although operating margins dipped, VF Corp. attributed that to "actions supporting future revenue and earnings growth."

VF Corp. distributes many well-known brands that address a variety of demographics and shoppers, such as Vanity Fair, Lily of France, Lee, Wrangler, North Face, and Vans. Its largest customer is discount giant Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT). In addition, like Liz Claiborne, it also has some retail stores of its own. Plus, it pays a dividend to investors, which is why it is one of the selections at Motley Fool Income Investor.

What does the CAPS community think of VF Corp.? Let's take a look and see.

VF Corp.

CAPS Rating
 *** (out of five stars)

Total Bulls

41

Total Bears

5

Bull Ratio

89%

Bear Ratio

11%
Data current as of Dec. 18, 2006.

VF Corp. is a three-star stock, but as you can see, it's not followed by too many people in the CAPS community at all. I can't say I'm too surprised that so few CAPS players have rated VF Corp. I'd guess that its brands are much more well-known than its corporate moniker.

And while not too many people had much to say in CAPS pitches on VF Corp., lsm1234 expressed optimism in this pitch: "Will continue to acquire top-notch brands." That will indeed help VF Corp. continue its growth.

VF Corp.'s got a trailing P/E of 17, which might not imply an incredible value at the moment. But VF Corp.'s strong portfolio of diverse brands certainly does make this stock one worth keeping an eye on in 2007.

If you're interested in stocks like VF Corp., which have interesting business lines and are dividend payers to boot, check out Motley Fool Income Investor, which has outperformed the S&P by 7.96%.

For further Foolishness:

Check out the other companies featured in "The Motley Fool's 2006 in Review and 2007 Preview" special.

Alyce Lomax does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned. Wal-Mart is a Motley Fool Inside Value pick. Volcom is a Hidden Gems selection. The Fool has adisclosure policy.