Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, poultry processing company Sanderson Farms (SAFM) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

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

Sanderson facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Laurel, Miss. (1947)

Market Cap

$330.2 million

Industry

Packaged foods and meats

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$2.4 billion

Management

Chairman/CEO Joe Sanderson
President/COO Lampkin Butts

Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years)

4.4%

Cash / Debt

$27.8 million / $161.0 million

Competitors

Pilgrim's Pride (Nasdaq: PPC)
Tyson Foods (TSN -0.70%)

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

On CAPS, 93% of the 252 members who have rated Sanderson believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.

Earlier this week, one of those Fools, NL2, touched on the tailwinds working in Sanderson's favor:

Chicken producer's greatest cost is grain for feed and these costs will be up for 2013. However, chicken prices may likely be disproportionately higher. As a result of the 2012 drought, protein producers of beef, pork and chickens have reduced production. This should result in lower protein availability and higher prices.

If you want market-thumping returns, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Of course, despite a strong four-star rating, Sanderson may not be your top choice.

If that's the case, we've compiled a special free report for investors called "The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need," which uncovers a few 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.