Our #1 pick for 2014

Article Excerpt

We’ve chosen Newell Rubbermaid as our Stock of the Year for 2014. Our 2014 choice gives you a prime example of how we apply part three of our three-pronged investing approach, which is to downplay or avoid stocks in the broker/media limelight. (The other two parts are to invest mainly in well-established stocks, and to spread your money out across the five main economic sectors). Newell makes a variety of everyday items, such as trash cans and food-storage containers. These products are less interesting than smartphones or social media websites, and not newsworthy. So, many investors have overlooked Newell’s improving prospects. The company is in the midst of a multi-year cost-cutting plan that will set it up for years of profitable growth. The savings are also giving it lots of cash for share buybacks and dividends. NEWELL RUBBERMAID INC. $30 (New York symbol NWL; Aggressive Growth and Income Portfolios, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 287.2 million; Market cap: $8.6 billion; Priceto-…