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Four Stocks on the Brokerage Buy List Portfolio Generated Double-Digit Returns Since 2003

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Zacks.com Brokerage Buy List portfolio includes stocks that are highly recommended by top brokerage firms, indicating their potential for long-term growth. Four stocks currently on this list, Eli Lilly (LLY), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM), General Electric (GE), and Wachovia Corporation (WB), have shown impressive performance in their latest quarterly reports. Eli Lilly's sales increased by 6% to $3.88 billion, Exxon Mobil's earnings per share jumped 23% year-over-year, General Electric reported double-digit earnings growth across five of its six businesses, and Wachovia's earnings per share, excluding items, reached $1.11 in the quarter. These stocks are considered among the best large-cap stocks to own for the long term.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eli Lilly's sales increased by 6% to $3.88 billion in the fourth quarter, with its newer products contributing $791.2 million to the quarter's sales and accounting for 20% of total sales.
  • Exxon Mobil's earnings per share, excluding items, jumped 23% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, thanks to higher crude oil and natural gas realizations and improved refining and marketing margins.
  • General Electric reported double-digit earnings growth across five of its six businesses in the fourth quarter, with its continuing revenues reaching $40.7 billion, which was a 3% increase year-over-year.
  • Wachovia's earnings per share, excluding items, reached $1.11 in the fourth quarter, with revenue advancing 7% thanks to a larger balance sheet and fee income growth.
  • The Brokerage Buy List portfolio has generated an annualized double-digit return since January 2003, making it a profitable tool for individual investors to improve their investment results.
  • Exxon Mobil's record-breaking net income of $36.13 billion in 2005 makes it one of the most successful companies in U.S. corporate history.

Statistics:

  • Eli Lilly's newer products accounted for 20% of its total sales in the fourth quarter 2005, compared to 14% in the fourth quarter 2004.
  • Exxon Mobil's earnings per share, excluding items, jumped 27% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, with a record-breaking net income of $36.13 billion in 2005.
  • General Electric's continuing revenues increased by 3% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, with five of its six businesses contributing double-digit earnings growth.
  • Wachovia's earnings per share, excluding items, reached $1.11 in the fourth quarter, with revenue advancing 7% thanks to a larger balance sheet and fee income growth.
  • The Brokerage Buy List portfolio has generated an annualized double-digit return since January 2003.

Sources:

  • Zacks.com, Brokerage Buy List portfolio
  • Eli Lilly, fourth quarter 2005 earnings report
  • Exxon Mobil Corporation, fourth quarter 2005 earnings report
  • General Electric, fourth quarter 2005 earnings report
  • Wachovia Corporation, fourth quarter 2005 earnings report
  • About Zacks, Zacks.com
  • About Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
  • S&P 500 Index (Standard and Poor's)

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