Based on the aggregated intelligence of 150,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, French drugmaker sanofi-aventis (NYSE: SNY) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Sanofi's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

sanofi-aventis facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Paris, France (1970)

Market Cap

$99.4 billion

Industry

Pharmaceuticals

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$44 billion

Management

CEO Christopher Viehbacher

CFO Jerome Contamine

Trailing-12-Month Return on Equity

11.3%

Compound Annual Revenue and Net Income Growth (Over Past 5 Years)

14.3% and 21.5%

Dividend Yield

4.3%

Competitors

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK)

Merck (NYSE: MRK)

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE)

Other Highly Rated Pharmaceutical Stocks

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)

Novartis (NYSE: NVS)

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY)

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 95% of the 809 members who have rated Sanofi believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include All-Star mrindependent, who is ranked in the top 1% of our community, and CoachBen.

Just one week ago, mrindependent tapped Sanofi as a healthy way to make some steady income: "I like the sustainable 4.4% yield and the low valuation -- at just over 8 times expected earnings. The balance statement is in good shape."

In an earlier pitch, CoachBen also made a rather heartfelt case for the stock:

Solid financials. Balanced markets make is less vulnerable to fluctuations in US market. Finally, even without gang-buster success with the HIV vaccine, they have some great new products.

One such product is Multaq. Working in Cardiology, I see firsthand how this medication is swooping in to take the place of the most widely used heart rhythm medicines. ... It is safe in elderly populations and I expect to see its indications expanded. Hopefully in 2010 it will become a tier two drug and when that happens, usage is going to explode.

What do you think about sanofi-aventis, or any other stock for that matter? If you want to retire rich, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future, and on Motley Fool CAPS, thousands of investors are working every day to find them. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!