Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, metalworking products distributor MSC Industrial Direct (MSM -1.08%) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

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

MSC facts

Headquarters (founded)

Melville, N.Y. (1941)

Market Cap

$4.4 billion

Industry

Trading companies and distributors

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$2.4 billion

Management

CEO David Sandler

COO Erik Gershwind

Return on Equity (average, past 3 years)

21.5%

Cash/Debt

$168.5 million / $3.2 million

Dividend Yield

1.7%

Competitors

Align Aerospace

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT 0.07%)

W.W. Grainger (GWW -0.23%)

Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 98% of the 496 members who have rated MSC believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.

Just last month, one of those bulls, Binjiling, succinctly summed up the MSC bull case for our community: "Superbly run domestic company benefiting from industry consolidation and possibly richer mix of manufacturing coming back to the USA. There is cyclicality in the company, but long term, it is a grower."

If you want market-topping returns, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future. Of course, despite its five-star rating, MSC may not be your top choice.

If that's the case, we've compiled a special free report for investors called "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," which uncovers several other juicy income opportunities. The report is 100% free, but it won't be around forever, so click here to access it now.

Want to see how well (or not so well) the stocks in this series are performing? Follow the TrackPoisedTo CAPS account.