Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, global holding company Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

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

Brookfield facts

Headquarters (Founded) Calgary, Canada
Market Cap $16.8 billion
Industry Asset management
Trailing-12-Month Revenue $16.6 billion
Management CEO Bruce Flatt (since 2002)
CFO Brian Lawson (since 2002)
Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years) 5.1%
Cash/Debt $2.0 billion / $37.2 billion
Dividend Yield 1.9%
Competitors Boston Properties (NYSE: BXP)
Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG)
Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE: VNO)

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

On CAPS, 98% of the 1,306 members who have rated Brookfield believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include wsucougs and All-Star LoveMeSomeGreen, who is ranked in the top 5% of our community.

Earlier this fall, wsucougs tapped Brookfield as a great way to play defense: "Diverse sources of income. Owns long term income assets that should be good in good times and steady in bad times."

Over the past five years, in fact, Brookfield has grown its tangible book value at a solid rate of 11% annually. That's faster than industry peers like Boston Properties (5%), Vornado (5%), and Simon Property (9%).

CAPS All-Star LoveMeSomeGreen elaborates on the Brookfield bull case:

$150 billion in assets managed worldwide...I really like the acquisition of Prudential Real Estate. It's good for both companies. Prudential sells off their real estate services to focus on their core business of insurance, and [Brookfield] gets a domestic name-brand foothold to go along with their international real estate and relocation services. Solid acquisition.

What do you think about Brookfield, or any other stock for that matter? If you want to retire rich, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future, and on Motley Fool CAPS, thousands of investors are working every day to find them. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!

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