Wells Fargo & Co (WFC) Among The Stocks Can Secure Your Financial Future

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There is a slew of financial information available for investors of all types. The market contains thousands of stocks available for a wide variety of investing preferences. However, there happen to be a few premium stocks that should be considered by nearly all investors. These stocks have long track records of success and have rewarded their investors handsomely for decades on end. No matter if your investing timeline is 30 years or three years, these stocks deserve a place in nearly every investor’s portfolio.

The foundation of a great portfolio

Banking giant Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC) has emerged from the financial crisis in great shape. Full-year 2012 net income rose 19% year over year, and earnings for the entire year came in at a record $3.36 per share. Revenue for the fiscal year clocked in at over $86 billion, up 6% from the prior year.

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) reported great full-year 2012 results of its own. Global comparable sales increased 3.1%, and consolidated revenues climbed 5% on a constant currency basis. Diluted earnings per share increased 5% as well on a constant currency basis to $5.36 per share.

Furthermore, the company’s future is bright. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has set ambitious goals for international expansion. McDonald’s is executing on its plan to open 225 to 250 new restaurants every year in China until it reaches its stated goal of 2,000 restaurants there by the end of 2013

Discount retailer Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) has a truly amazing story. In February, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) released its fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2013 results. The company reported full-year total revenue of $469 billion, an increase of 5% versus the prior year.

Stellar shareholder friendliness

Making things even better for investors is that these companies are extremely generous to their shareholders. Because these are mature and highly profitable businesses, each of these companies can easily afford to return a portion of their massive earnings to shareholders in the form of big share repurchases and hefty dividend yields.

When Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC) reported its financial results, the company also declared that it had increased its dividend payout 14%. The raise reflects the company’s confidence in its performance as well as its commitment to returning cash to shareholders.

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) returned $5.5 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share buybacks last year. McDonald’s increased its dividend 10% last year, and will surely do so again in the fall, and the company has a strong record of dividend growth. McDonald’s current annualized payout is more than double what it was in 2007.

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