The following article is part of The Motley Fool's "Stock Madness 2006," based loosely on the annual NCAA College Basketball Tournament, a.k.a. March Madness. Throughout the competition, our writers and analysts will engage in head-to-head competition. You, dear readers, are the fans and referees - after you read these exciting duels, your votes will determine who moves on to the next round of play. The writer who survives the tournament will be our champion and most valuable "coach."
But, please, make no mistake -- "Stock Madness 2006" is a GAME!
You've been great fans so far, and I know you didn't put me into the finals because I'm a good coach or anything like that -- far from it. It's simply because of the strength of my team. Heck, after the drafting was done and I saw my starting five, I knew I could just roll the ball out there and let them play.
Beautiful balance
You want outstanding multibagger potential not found in "stodgy" ol' large caps? I've got three for you:
(1) Portfolio Recovery Associates (NASDAQ:PRAA) is the unquestioned leader in the debt collection industry. Although it already has gained more than 80% since I recommended it to Motley FoolHidden Gems readers in June of 2004, it was still ranked the fourth-most-attractive stock to buy now in Bill Mann's recent review of the 19 active guest picks.
(2) RF Micro Devices (NASDAQ:RFMD) is the leading supplier of one of the most critical radio-frequency components in cellular phones: power amplifiers. The explosive growth potential of cell phones in international emerging markets is mind-boggling.
(3) Expedia (NASDAQ:EXPE) is carrying a bargain price tag at the moment because, as Morningstar notes, the market has no idea yet how powerfully profitable its network effect will be. Being the market-share leader means it's able to negotiate better deals for flights and hotels, pass the savings to customers, and in turn draw even more customers. It's a beautiful cycle that has created a cash cow.
And yet, loyal followers of this tournament know how important it is to balance potential highfliers with some rock-solid blue chips. This is where my twin towers, the "& Brothers," come in -- mighty Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG).
In his excellent book The Future For Investors, Jeremy Siegel showed that dividend-paying consumer goods companies not only were the best-performing S&P 500 companies since the index began in 1957, but they're also likely to be among the best performers for decades to come. They are simply the best stocks on the planet to get you through both bull and bear markets in super shape -- and I've got two of the finest in my starting five.
I've coached with conviction throughout this tournament because I believe in my team. That's why it's been easy to ask for your votes, and why I'm hoping to be cutting down the nets once the final whistle blows.
Tim Hanson's rebuttal
Expedia has multibagger potential? It's already a $6.5 billion company. To be a mere five-bagger, it would have to grow to the size of consumer products giant Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) -- a stock that's returned more than either of Rex's "twin towers" over the past 50 years. Not happening.
And, yes, it is nice to have exposure to those stable dividend-payers. Thankfully, my Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRKa) (NYSE:BRKb) already owns more than 3% of P&G.
Who moves on to the championship? It's all up to you. Check out Tim's team, then cast your vote.
Rex Moore believes in his team so much that he owns shares in three of the members: Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Portfolio Recovery Associates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Tim Hanson owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway. Colgate-Palmolive is an Inside Value recommendation. The Fool has a disclosure policy.
