PowerRatings Across The Indexes: JNJ, IBM, ESRX, CEPH, CPB

The current volatility in the stock market is the highest of all time. This "off the charts" volatility provides opportunities as well as dangerous traps for investors.

Knowing the right stocks to invest in during the current environment can potentially pay off big in the future. Our PowerRatings scanner helps you locate stocks that are most likely to perform well in uncertain times. The scanner slices and dices the market in a myriad of ways. One way is that it ranks stocks in the three major stock indexes, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, The Nasdaq, and the Standard & Poors 500. It serves up the 10 top Long Term PowerRated stocks in each of the indexes on demand.

Long Term PowerRatings are a tool traders use in building a long term stock portfolios. The ratings allow you to avoid inherently risky and overtly risky stocks while focusing on stocks that are most likely to perform well over the long term. Our studies clearly indicate that stocks that earn a 10 rating have an 81% chance of being higher one year later.

Those awarded a 9 rating have a 79.1% chance of trading higher one year later. Conversely, those stocks with a low 1, 2 or 3 Long Term PowerRating have proven to simply be too volatile and thus risky for prudent, conservative long term investment. Let's take a closer look at several interesting stocks from our PowerRating scanner across the three major indexes.

DJIA

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) - This is a 9 rated drug stock that is solidly outperforming its sector that has earned a 7 rating. They just reported an 8.7% sales increase and a 12.4% increase in Earnings Per Share over the second quarter. They have been in a meandering, slow uptrend since March, 2008.

International Business Machines (IBM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) - The computer giant has earned a 7 Long Term PowerRating. The sector only has a 5 rating, so IBM is clearly outpacing its brethren. The company is constantly expanding and innovating to keep up with the ever changing technology world. It has been steady with low volatility in 2008 and price has increased over 20% this year in a slow uptrend. Expansion and success into emerging markets appears to be the prime driver for this sector leader.

Nasdaq 100

Express Scripts (ESRX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) - An interesting pharmaceutical service firm that manages benefits and the distribution of outpatient drug needs. It has earned a 6 rating. The company just settled a major law suit with Cigna (CI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and reported a 33% increase in second quarter earnings. Technically the company looks like it may have found a bottom around the 62 level

Cephalon Inc (CEPH | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) - This 8 rated stock in the 8 rated drug sector has recently announced that they exceeded both sales and earnings guidance for the 2nd quarter of 2008. The company continues to lead the Nasdaq 100 as the highest power rated stock in the index. Their new products TREANDA and AMRIX are experiencing vigorous interest and the company continues to innovate. Technically, it has recently pulled back a little from a steady uptrend.

S&P 500

Campbell Soup (CPB | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) - This popular food company has recently announced full fiscal year results. Sales are up 8% with Earnings Per Share up 7% on the year. It has earned an 8 rating in an industry rated 8. Technically, the stock has been in an uptrend since mid May 2008 and, most importantly, has maintained this uptrend even in the current volatility.

Learn what you need to know as an active investor looking to invest in companies with a history of financial strength and a track record for growth. Click the link above or call us at 888-484-8220 extension 1 to get your copy of the "5 Secrets to Successful Stock Investing" today!

David Goodboy is Vice President of Marketing for a New York City based multi-strategy fund.