Tomorrow's Monster Stock

Stocks climbing to 10 times their original price are rare breeds -- but they're not impossible to find. Especially when you have Fools for friends.

The market's best stocks include companies that have risen dozens of times in value by taking advantage of the market's weaknesses. These aren't penny stocks; they're viable companies with sound business prospects that are achieving phenomenal returns. Finding just one or two of these monstrously successful companies can help you establish a winning portfolio.

Stalking the monster
To find what could be tomorrow's winners, we've enlisted the help of more than 165,000 monster trackers at Motley Fool CAPS. We've compiled a list of the most successful CAPS members, dubbed All-Stars, whose picks have doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled in price. Then we've plucked out some of their recent picks for stocks they find equally promising.

Score is how many percentage points by which that pick is beating the S&P 500.

Of course, this is not a list of stocks to buy -- or, for those monster stocks that our CAPS All-Stars have already found, sell. Just consider them starting points for your own further research of extreme buying opportunities.

In search of Bigfoot
With the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index showing a big slide in August (though it indicates the economy is still in "expansion" mode), the worry is that base metals producers like Alcoa (NYSE: AA) and Century Aluminum will feel pressure from a weakened manufacturing base.

Even China's growth miracle, fueled largely by government stimulus spending, wasn't enough to push Century Aluminum's results high enough to beat analyst expectations last month. Despite the U.S. industrial sector falling further, bigsmitty52 suggests we might be close to  hitting bottom and is looking for the company to rebound.

But not even retailers could get their hopes up too much after reports showed that consumer confidence rose more than anticipated last month. J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP), for example, canceled some merchandise orders, throwing cold water on the hope that shoppers whistling past the graveyard will get us through back-to-school season. It also cut its sales forecast for the second half of the year. Although high-end jeans maker Joe's Jeans is up more than 140% over the past year, ProphetHope is among those who think it might be time to short the stock as the company's financial position erodes.

Sales based mostly on "jeggings" product, which is losing market share to denim competitors as well as descending fad. Cash is decreasing, [selling, general, and administrative expenses] is up big, and Inventory levels are rising all against a very sluggish economy. Bus. model using outlet stores is the wrong choice and there is very little brand building. It'll see less than $1 when these factors are realized. JOEZ is a dumb money long.

A good reception
If the economy worsens, then investors might want to steer clear of trucking giant YRC Worldwide, which was able to launch a turnaround when the business climate improved earlier this year. In fact, the company has restored a sense of order to its financial house, greatly reducing the probability that it will file for bankruptcy protection, which looked possible a year ago. Comparing the numbers today with those from a few years ago paints a horrible picture, but that has been factored into YRC Worldwide's share price.

However, the company is still dangerously burning through cash and enjoyed the benefit of not investing in its business. They were necessary actions, but they're skewing its financial picture, making it look healthier than it might otherwise be. But management says it recovered half the business it had lost to rivals when operations were faltering.

Old Dominion Freight Line (Nasdaq: ODFL) gives some hope that the industry is not completely broken down. Its own earnings beat expectations, and even trailer maker Wabash National (NYSE: WNC) has staged something of a comeback.

The brightened prospects for YRC Worldwide center on improved pricing in the industry. Old Dominion Freight Line says it expects pricing to outpace tonnage growth for at least a few years, and if new regulatory initiatives play out as at least one analyst forecasts they might, it could bring a capacity shortage that could have a big impact on pricing.

Stifel Nicolaus notes that new rules regarding motor carrier safety could rid the industry of numerous unsafe drivers, with "monumental capacity shortages" showing up as early as next year. While that might raise rates for truckers, investors should note how it would hurt shippers who would see their costs soar.

With YRC Worldwide back from the brink, though, CAPS members are looking for further growth. Of those rating the trucker, 83% believe it will outperform the market. Why not go to the YRC Worldwide CAPS page and tell us what you think?

A chance for scary growth
It takes more than a few All-Star picks and a quick pitch to make buy or sell decisions, so start your own research on these stocks on Motley Fool CAPS and find other opportunities with monster potential.