In my opinion, this is an excellent time to be a brand-spanking-new investor. I'm a contrarian by nature -- just ask my wife -- and scouring the market for its "coldest" prospects (as opposed to its hottest) is a favorite pastime of mine. At present, it appears that investors seeking the kinds of stocks that can anchor a portfolio -- long-haul overachievers trading on the cheap -- are in luck.
For example, take the likes of Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), IBM (NYSE:IBM), and Home Depot (NYSE:HD). Each of these big boys has bested the S&P 500 over the past 10 years. But thanks to Mr. Market's mysterious ways, all of 'em clock in with price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios below that of the broader market. That's also true of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK-B), Lowe's, and Baker Hughes (NYSE:BHI). And with that latter dynamic duo, moreover, you get a solid performance history and -- if the analysts are to be believed -- juicy forward-looking earnings-growth prospects, too.
What's the catch?
Make no mistake: Sometimes even rock-solid companies trade for lengthy stretches of time with moribund multiples. None of the above are "get rich quick" prospects. "Get rich slowly" is more like it. But if you're a newbie investor, that should be your mantra anyway. Time, after all, is on your side.
Let's say you're a disciplined 30-year old intent on retiring at 62, and you manage to sock away $10,000 per year. Depending on the lifestyle you want to lead in your dotage, you might be able to hit the proverbial back nine even sooner. Indeed, if your portfolio grows at "just" the market's annualized historical average of roughly 10.5%, you'll be a millionaire at 55. Keep kicking in the coin until you hit 60, and at that same rate of return, you'll have more than $1.8 million.
What if you're not so disciplined?
If you don't have 30 years -- or quite that much discipline -- financial independence can still be within reach. To achieve it, you'll want to beat the market's average, of course. And you'll need to manage your investments and personal finances effectively along the way.
On the former front, consider adding the aforementioned list of "cold" stocks to your further-research list. When you can buy that kind of quality on the cheap, after all, there's little reason to go fishing in more speculative waters for market-beating potential.
And when it comes to managing your investments and personal finances, consider taking our Motley Fool Green Light newsletter service for a spin. We cover both topics each and every month, giving you specific, actionable advice to make the most of what you're making. After all, whether you're reducing the interest you pay on credit card debt or plowing moola into market-beating investments, the result is the same: Extra scratch in the bank, and a shorter path to financial freedom.
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This article was originally published on Jan. 18, 2007. It has been updated.
Shannon Zimmerman runs point on the Fool's Champion Funds newsletter service and co-advises Motley Fool Green Light with his pal Dayana Yochim. At the time of publication, he didn't own any of the securities mentioned above. Bank of America is an Income Investor pick. Home Depot and Berkshire Hathaway are Inside Value recommendations. You can check out the Fool's strict disclosure policy by clicking right here.
