Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, analytical instrument specialist Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

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

Thermo Fisher facts

Headquarters (founded) Waltham, Mass. (1956)
Market Cap $18.7 billion
Industry Life sciences tools and services
Trailing-12-Month Revenue $12.1 billion
Management CEO Marc Casper (since 2009)
CFO Peter Wilver (since 2004)
Return on Equity (average, past 3 years) 6.5%
Cash/Debt $792.6 million / $6.7 billion
Dividend Yield 1%
Competitors Agilent Technologies
Beckman Coulter
Becton Dickinson

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

On CAPS, 96% of the 565 members who have rated Thermo Fisher believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.  

Just last month , one of those Fools, SotaiR, offered some insight into the Thermo Fisher bull case:

As an employee I can say things are good at Thermo Fisher Scientific. The roll out of Unity Lab Services has given the company a unique position in the asset management/services sector to add to their competitive catalog and their outstanding brands of instruments (Thermo) and lab supplies (Fisher). This new brand (Unity) will position them to corner the market even more. Keep your eyes on this stock, safe bet, great management and great people.

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