Did you shower today? Brush your teeth? Use deodorant? Even if you did just one of these things -- and hopefully you did all three -- there's a good chance you used a product made by Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG). From its humble beginnings in 1837 as a soap-making company in Cincinnati, P&G has grown into a $200 billion international behemoth and a true American success story.
P&G stock has rewarded its investors over the long run, as well. According to Professor Jeremy Siegel's book, The Future for Investors, P&G returned 14.26% per year from 1957 to 2003, turning a $10,000 investment in 1957 into more than $4 million 46 years later. Moreover, in 2006, P&G marked 50 consecutive years of dividend increases for its shareholders, with a goal of increasing its dividends 10% per year going forward.
That sounds pretty good to me. The dividend growth target particularly demonstrates management's confidence in generating superior returns for shareholders.
Running out of gas?
It's no secret that P&G has been a great blue chip in the past, but the real question on P&G investors' minds has to be: "Will the stock continue to outperform the market?" I answer that question with a resounding yes. Here's why.
Success in international markets will have a profound effect on blue-chip growth in the coming decades. With the American economy growing at a slow but steady pace, U.S. megacap companies with a large domestic presence need to look overseas for greater growth opportunities. Those that don't will surely be left behind.
As the global economy grows stronger, American multinational companies with solid international growth strategies, such as Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX), McDonald's (NYSE:MCD), and Nike (NYSE:NKE), stand to profit nicely. Not only do successful international operations fuel growth, they also diversify corporate assets and hedge against a possible depreciation of the U.S. dollar.
P&G has positioned itself well in the international market, with operations in about 80 countries and its wares available in more than 140 countries. In the past year, P&G generated 56% of its revenues outside the United States -- totaling nearly $39 billion. To put that number in some perspective, that's more than the national GDPs of Cambodia or Kenya. Perhaps more importantly, P&G's international revenues have been growing steadily, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Please do not feed the bears
Of the 619 investors who have rated Procter & Gamble in our Motley Fool CAPS investing community, 598 -- a whopping 96.6% -- believe P&G will continue to outperform the S&P 500. Perhaps contributing to this overwhelming bullish sentiment are followers of the Oracle of Omaha. Indeed, Warren Buffett has a 100-million-share position in the company, but with P&G's international operations set up for superior growth, it's hard to be a bear in this neck of the woods.
Whether or not you agree with my assessment of P&G, take a second to vote "outperform" or "underperform" for the stock on Motley Fool CAPS. We'd love to hear your take.
To read about the rest of our blue-chip candidates, click here.
Todd Wenning has rated Procter & Gamble "outperform" on Motley Fool CAPS. He owns shares of Starbucks, aMotley Fool Stock Advisorpick. The Fool's disclosure policy is too legit to quit.
