Our Motley Fool Rule Breakers service recently created an ambitious watch list of more than 250 attractively positioned growth companies. All carry the promise of extraordinary growth -- both for the company itself and for your portfolio. (You can view the list with a free trial to the service.)
Who's watching the watch list?
Some companies in our Universe have passed all our screens and are now official recommendations. Others are still private entities not yet available for investment. But the majority of the companies are trying to position themselves to achieve the astounding growth and success that has enriched owners of Amazon.com, AOL, and eBay.
With experts in biotech, nanotech, and early adopters, our team adds promising companies and boots duds from the Universe every month. And we're not alone in the venture; thousands of Rule Breakers community members are building out the watch list with companies they are watching, following, or, in some cases, already own.
We're watching bears ...
Several of our watch list companies have been suggested by our vibrant online community. Rule Breakers member Dewksee nominated Build-A-Bear Workshop
Unfortunately, Build-A-Bear is a mixed bag when it comes to performance. The company reports earnings growth north of 50%, gross margins of more than 45%, and net margins just below 10%. However, falling profits partly explain the substantial 30% short interest in Build-A-Bear stock.
But finding Rule Breaking companies is about being contrarian; we'll go against the trends to find companies ahead of the curve. Who would have thought that a stuff-it-yourself toy service could be a $450 million company with much more promise to come? Build-A-Bear is not yet up to snuff, but it's worth keeping on the list.
And phones ...
Another firm we like for its Foolish name is offered by RB member tarheelborn100. Hurray!
With mobile phone sales growth of more than 20% per annum and current mobile phone penetration in China at less than 26% (compared with about 75% in Europe), Hurray! is certainly heading down a promising path.
And biotech ...
Our ethos of discovering groundbreaking technologies ahead of the curve inevitably means we see our fair share of biotech companies. Rule Breakers member Poolabool suggested Advanced Medical Optics
Molecular Devices
And Rule Breakers member Debydete brought LCA-Vision
Foolish final thoughts
So there you have it: five companies thousands of informed eyes are now watching. Next month, the Universe will expand and evolve. If you want to keep tabs on these minnows as some grow into monsters, we're offering a free 30-day trial to Rule Breakers. You'll have access to all back issues and official picks, special reports, the Rule Breaker Universe, and our dedicated discussion boards, where thousands of investors share ideas and analysis. Click here to learn more.
Carl Wherrett is the resident Rule Breakers nanotechnology guru. He does not own any shares of any company mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.