Although growth stock picks can be highly volatile, they can make good long-term investments. They may be well-known stars or quiet gems, but they do share one common attribute—they are growing at a higher-than-average rate within their industry, or within the market as a whole, and could keep growing for years or decades.
And keep in mind that we focus on growth stocks, which have a good long-term history and favourable prospects. We downplay momentum stocks that tend to attract many investors simply because they are moving faster than the market averages, but are liable to fall sharply when their momentum fades.
There’s room for growth stock investing in your portfolio, but make sure you follow our TSI Network three-part Successful Investor strategy for your overall portfolio:
- Invest mainly in well-established companies;
- Spread your money out across most if not all of the five main economic sectors (Manufacturing & Industry; Resources & Commodities; Consumer; Finance; Utilities);
- Downplay or avoid stocks in the broker/media limelight.
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The company also distributes industrial parts (31% of sales, 29% of earnings), office products (12%, 11%) and electrical equipment (4%, 5%).
As the economy improved after the 2008/09 recession, the company’s sales rose 36.9% from $11.2 billion in 2010 to $15.3 billion in 2014. Overall earnings jumped 49.6%, from $475.5 million to $711.3 million. Per-share profits gained 53.7%, from $3.00 to $4.61, on fewer shares outstanding.
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Last year, the company sold its document-shredding operations to Toronto-based Shred-it International. In exchange, it received 42% of the combined firm and $180 million in cash. In May 2015, the company received a $113.4-million dividend from Shred-it.
Shred-it recently accepted a $2.3-billion takeover offer from Stericycle (Nasdaq symbol SRCL). As a result, Cintas will get between $550 million and $600 million for its stake. Stericycle expects to complete the purchase by the end of 2015.
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The company is co-operating with officials, but the possibility that it may have to restate financial results from prior periods will keep weighing on the stock.
Diageo is a hold.
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To spur the growth of online retail, the Chinese government recently relaxed foreign ownership restrictions on some Internet businesses. Owning all of Yihaodian.com will make it easier for Wal-Mart to co-ordinate inventory with its physical stores. The purchase will also help the company profit as younger Chinese shoppers buy more goods online.
Wal-Mart is a buy.
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