2011's top performers so far
Ten companies on the benchmark Standard & Poor's 500 Index ($INX) are up at least 30% so far in this tumultuous year in the markets. Half are in the health care industry, and two are in the aerospace and defense industry.
The S&P, which tracks the performance of the 500 largest U.S. companies and is used as a benchmark for the health of the U.S. equities market, was down 14.3% through September, with most of the decline occurring in the past two months. So the performance of these 10 companies is impressive.
Following is a closer look at the top 10 S&P stocks in the first nine months of 2011.
Company profile: Watson Pharmaceuticals (WPI) is the world's fourth-largest maker of generic drugs. It also makes branded pharmaceuticals.
2011 return: 32.1%
Standard & Poor's analysts have an $80 price target on Watson Pharmaceuticals. The company is expected to get a big boost in November when Pfizer's Lipitor goes off patent and Watson can begin selling a generic version of the cholesterol-lowering drug.
Standard & Poor's projects Watson's revenue will grow 25% in 2011 to $4.5 billion. best-selling generic drugs,
Company profile: Humana (HUM) is one of the nation's largest managed-care organizations, with more than 11 million members. The company offers an array of health and supplemental benefit products for employer groups, government benefit programs and individuals.
2011 return: 32.9%
For the five years through 2010, Humana's health plan enrollment grew at a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%, revenue grew at an 18.4% rate, and operating earnings per share grew 28.6%, according to Standard & Poor's. Analysts' consensus earnings estimate is for 2% growth in 2012 to $7.81 per share.
Company profile: Many people still remember Goodrich (GR) as a tire-maker, but it exited that business in 1988. Goodrich is one of the world's biggest suppliers of aerospace components. It serves the business aircraft, helicopter and defense markets.
2011 return: 37.0%
On Sept. 21, United Technologies (UTX) announced it had reached an agreement to purchase Goodrich for $127.50 per share in cash, including the assumption of debt. United Technologies is a manufacturer of high-technology products and services for the global aerospace and building industries. biggest mergers of 2011,
Company profile: Biogen Idec (BIIB) is a biotechnology company focused on developing drugs for neurological disorders and other medical conditions.
2011 return: 38.9%
Biogen's core franchise is in treatments for autoimmune disorders. The recent approval of a new five-year European marketing plan for multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri and positive findings from a study of Avonex, another multiple sclerosis drug, have attracted investors.
The company also has a strong pipeline, with several products already in or entering Phase III clinical trials.
Analysts estimate that Biogen Idec will earn $5.87 per share in fiscal 2011 and that earnings will grow by 8%, to $6.34, in 2012. S&P analysts have a price target of $108 on the stock.
Company profile: VF (VFC) is one of the world's largest apparel companies. It specializes in jeans, sportswear, outdoor apparel and footwear. Among its brands are Lee, Wrangler, Nautica, the North Face, Vans and Seven for All Mankind.
2011 return: 41.0%
Standard & Poor's has a $140 price target on the stock. In June the company announced its intention to buy Timberland for about $2 billion, which is expected to be a contributor to new growth.
VF benefits from substantial economies of scale in sourcing and distribution. In its most recent quarter, it posted earnings of $1.17 per share, versus $1 per share in the previous quarter, on a 15% increase in revenue. The company raised its 2011 guidance and said it now expects revenue to rise 12% this year. fall fashions,
Company profile: Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) makes and sells the da Vinci Surgical System, a robot-assisted surgical device that enables surgeons to perform complex procedures, such as open-heart surgery, with one- to two-centimeter incisions.
2011 return: 41.3%
Analysts at Standard & Poor's have a $420 price target on shares of Intuitive Surgical. The company saw revenue growth of 34% last year, driven by sales of a new da Vinci system. The analysts expect next year's earnings to grow by 18%.
Company profile: MasterCard (MA) services and supports credit, debit and related payment programs to financial institutions.
2011 return: 41.5%
Shares of MasterCard have been on a steady upward climb for the past three years, recently reaching a record $361.94 on Sept. 20. Its shares have an eye-popping five-year average annual return of 39%. Its earnings are up even though consumer spending is off due to high unemployment and the weak economy. It is benefiting from a worldwide trend toward more card usage in lieu of cash and checks.
Standard & Poor's analysts have a 12-month $350 price target on the stock.
MasterCard is a darling among institutional investors, who own 78% of its outstanding shares. During the second quarter, billionaire investor Warren Buffett doubled his stake in the card processor.
Company profile: Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) operates fast-casual Mexican food restaurants in 35 states.
2011 return: 42.4%
The company had sales of $1.8 billion last year, making it the leader in the fast-casual restaurant category.
Its shares are up 92% over the past 12 months, giving it a market value of $10 billion.
In the second quarter, profit rose 9%, while revenue for the three months ended June 30 rose 22%. Standard & Poor's has a $330 price target on the stock.
Institutional investors love this stock, as they own 62% of its outstanding shares. Fidelity Investments is the leader, with a 13.9% stake. fastest growing fast food chains,
Company profile: Cerner (CERN) provides information technology and related services to health care companies.
2011 return: 44.6%
The company's Millennium software platform combines clinical, financial and administrative data that patients, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories and medical offices can access in real time.
The company operates in 25 countries, but 84% of its revenue is derived from U.S. customers. After a strong second quarter, Cerner raised its full-year earnings outlook to a range of $1.80 to $1.83 per share, up from the consensus forecast of analysts, $1.73.
Standard & Poor's has an $80 price target on the stock. investing in health care,
Company profile: Cabot Oil & Gas (COG) explores for and produces natural gas as well as some oil. The company is involved in the Marcellus shale project in northern Appalachia, which is producing natural gas. It also has operations in the Gulf Coast and the Rockies.
2011 return: 63.6%
Cabot was an early leader in the Marcellus exploration and gobbled up drilling rights cheaply. The company is now benefiting from the moves. It also has a promising new venture in oil production in Texas.
Standard & Poor's has a 12-month price target of $78 on the stock. gas prices around the world,
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