Based on the aggregated intelligence of 115,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, Brazilian mining giant Vale (NYSE:RIO) has earned a coveted five-star ranking. Our data has shown that five-star stocks outperform the market by a significant margin; conversely, one-star stocks have woefully lagged the market average.

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

Vale facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1942)

Market Cap

$101.29 billion

Industry

Diversified Metals and Mining

TTM Revenue

$39.68 billion

Management

CEO Roger Agnelli (since 2007),

CFO Fabio de Oliveira Barbosa (since 2002)

Return on Equity (average last three years)

35.7%

Close Competitors

Rio Tinto (NYSE:RTP)

BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP)

CAPS members bullish on RIO also bullish on

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE:FCX)

Southern Copper (NYSE:PCU)

CAPS members bearish on RIO also bearish on

General Motors (NYSE:GM)

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR)

Sources: Capital IQ, a division of Standard & Poor's, and Motley Fool CAPS. TTM = trailing 12 months.

Over on CAPS, fully 779 of 799 of the All-Star members who have rated Vale -- some 97% -- believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These All-Star bulls include alvinbentley and deraj83 both of whom are ranked in the top 10% of our community.

In April, alvinbentley noted that Vale "controls half of the world's iron ore and can command higher prices with increasing demand. ... As China is the world's leading steel producer, this relationship will maintain an ever increasing flow of money from China to Brazil."

An earlier pitch from deraj83 in August 2007 shares that bullish sentiment, elaborating on Vale's ironclad dominance:

[Vale] is the world's largest producer of iron ore and also has a virtual monopoly on nickel production. In addition, the company controls most mining-related transportation infrastructure in Brazil. The company has made several acquisitions over the last few years ... [solidifying] the company's position as a top-notch resource play... [Vale] also boasts high insider ownership. Until growth from China and India collapses, I expect rapid growth to continue.

What do you think about Vale, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. More than 115,000 investors are waiting to hear what you have to say. CAPS is 100% free, so simply click here to get started.