When large caps make a run for it, Fools take notice.
Think of Microsoft. After years of poor performance, Mr. Softy and his $300 billion-plus market cap began making a move last month, enriching investors who had bought and stayed in.
Hence this column. For as much money as there is to be made in fast-movers like Motley Fool Stock Advisor selection Charles Schwab (Nasdaq: SCHW ) , which hit a new 52-week high yesterday, the turtle often beats the hare.
Take a look at Monday's finest terrapins, courtesy of The Wall Street Journal:
|
Company
|
Closing Price
|
CAPS Rating
(out of 5)
|
% Change
|
52-Week Range
|
|
Gap (NYSE:GPS)
|
$19.95
|
**
|
2.94%
|
$15.20-$21.04
|
|
United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS)
|
$72.65
|
****
|
2.74%
|
$68.66-$79.72
|
|
Limited Brands (NYSE:LTD)
|
$18.98
|
***
|
1.71%
|
$18.63-$32.60
|
|
Progressive (NYSE:PGR)
|
$18.62
|
**
|
1.47%
|
$17.53-$25.16
|
|
Omnicom (NYSE:OMC)
|
$46.57
|
***
|
1.13%
|
$45.84-$55.45
|
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo! Finance, Motley Fool CAPS.
Shares of our top gainer, Gap, were up for reasons not yet reported. So be it. We Fools prefer buy-to-hold stock stories anyway. Are any of our large-cap leaders worth owning over the next three to five years?
Not really -- if you heed the 74,000-plus professional and amateur stock pickers in our Motley Fool CAPS community. The one that is worth owning, four-star pick and Income Investor recommendation UPS, has quite a few fans.
Of the 863 Fools who rated UPS, 793 say it will outperform the S&P 500. That includes 175 All-Stars -- investors whose choices have outperformed at least 80% of the remaining community.
Superstar stock picker Bob Fiore is among the top 1% of CAPS members. He's known in these parts as TMFdatabasebob and explains the thesis in a pitch from last spring:
What can "Brown" do for you? Let's explore this question as investors, with some insights gleaned from Value Line. UPS carries Value Line's highest Safety rating and their second-highest Financial Strength rating. It also pays a dividend that is currently over 2%, has been growing at a 15% pace over the past five years, and is expected to grow by 10% -- well above inflation -- over the next 3-5 years. If the market turns sour in '07, after four years of solid growth from '03-'06, "Brown" can provide stability, keeping you above water in a sinking market.
I'll agree and add that UPS produces near-20% returns on capital, well above the returns generated by peer FedEx (NYSE: FDX ) and a clear indicator of superior management. I'd be looking to buy on a pullback.
What about you? What would you do? Let us know by signing up for CAPS today. It's 100% free to participate.
See you here tomorrow for more of the best of the biggest.
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