Based on the aggregated intelligence of 125,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, information-technology provider Harris (NYSE:HRS) 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 woefully lag the market average.

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

Harris facts

Headquarters (founded)

Melbourne, Florida (1916)

Market Cap

$5.88 billion

Industry

Communications Equipment

TTM Revenue

$5.45 billion

Management

CEO Howard Lance (since 2003)
CFO Gary McArthur (since 2006)

Return on Equity (average, last three years)

21.1%

Dividend Yield

1.9%

Competitors

L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL),
Boeing (NYSE:BA)

CAPS members bullish on HRS also bullish on:

General Electric (NYSE:GE),
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO)

CAPS members bearish on HRS also bearish on:

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM),
Fluor (NYSE:FLR)

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

Over on CAPS, 103 of the 106 All-Star members who have rated Harris -- or 97% -- believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include TSIF and GregoryMoore, both of whom are ranked in the top 15% of our community.

Last week, TSIF listed several of Harris' strong points: "Solid business model. International customers. Well respected products. Enough military operations, civilian defense, border work, inauguration, government unrest, etc, to keep sales up even in a recession.... Good cash flow, good margins."

In a pitch from two days earlier, GregoryMoore expands on Harris as a desirable way to play defense:

Not only does Harris make some of the best military radios, they also make broadcast equipment including the technology that puts the first down line on the screen for football games. They also provide the technology for wirelessly networked census entries for the US Census Bureau. That could be a good customer heading into 2010. Their top military radios are popular with infantry on the ground instead of in big vehicles. Look for sales to increase as their advanced technologies provide better capabilities needed for troops on foot in the mountain warfare of Afghanistan.

What do you think about Harris, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. More than 125,000 investors are waiting to hear what you have to say. CAPS is 100% free, so simply click here to get started.