Intel Corporation (INTC), Caterpillar Inc. (CAT): Scared By Dow (.DJI) 15K? Check These Out.

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Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)As the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow Jones Indices:.DJI) crosses 15,000 points for the first time ever, a level considered unimaginable only a few short years ago, investors may be understandably concerned. It seems like it was just yesterday that the United States was embroiled in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and the Dow cratered below 7,000.

Fast forward to today, and the tape tells a different story. The country’s banks are lending again, businesses and consumers are more confident, and corporate profits are healthy. To that end, the Dow has surged more than 14% so far this year alone.

If you’re nervous about committing money to the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow Jones Indices:.DJI) at these levels, you likely aren’t the only one. Many retail investors remain on the sidelines. However, there are members of the Dow that are trading more cheaply than the broader market, and provide compelling dividend yields that give even nervous investors a sizable margin of safety.

Consider these Dow components

Like a few of its large-cap technology peers that are reliant on the personal computer, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) hasn’t been able to escape criticisms that its business is akin to buggy-whip technology. The semiconductor giant lost one-third of its value during a difficult period last year, in which its operating results over that time period left a lot to be desired.

Indeed, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s full-year results were poor. For the full-year, revenues and earnings per share dropped 1.2% and 11%, respectively. The company’s troubles extended into the first quarter of 2013, which saw revenue and diluted EPS fall 2.5% and 25%, respectively. However, these results weren’t as bad as the market feared.

Another Dow member in the middle of a difficult period is heavy machinery maker Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), one of the world’s largest providers of earth-moving equipment, seemed to be doing everything right when it reported full-year 2012 results. The company reported record revenue and earnings per share for fiscal 2012 of $66 billion and $8.48 per share, respectively. Revenue increased 10% year over year, and EPS climbed 15% as compared to the prior year.

Unfortunately, there were hidden warning signs in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)’s report, and the news since has been less than flattering. In its full-year 2012 report, management provided a 2013 outlook that likely left investors disappointed. This year, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) expects revenue to come in between $60 billion to $68 billion and earnings between $7 per share and $9 per share—meaning the midpoint of each range represents a year-over-year decline.

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