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These well-known names aren't necessarily the most fruitful names for investors, though. In fact, all too often they lag the performance of smaller, off-the-radar stocks that are quietly making their owners rich.
Here are five lesser-known stocks that could be much better alternatives.
1. EZCORP Inc. (Nasdaq: EZPW)
It's no big secret that pawn shops, micro lenders and check-cashing businesses saw a bump when times got tough in 2008. What investors may not realize is that the industry was growing before, during and after the recession. And, it still is.
It's no big secret that pawn shops, micro lenders and check-cashing businesses saw a bump when times got tough in 2008. What investors may not realize is that the industry was growing before, during and after the recession. And, it still is.
Enter EZCORP Inc., which you may know better as EZ-Pawn or EZ-Money. From revenue of $206 million in 2003 to $315 million in 2006, to $597 million in 2009 to what's apt to be revenue of $968 million this year (which will be the 10th straight year of rising sales), it doesn't look like there's any particular economic environment that's going to crimp what's become an amazing growth trend.
2. DaVita (NYSE: DVA)
For what it's worth, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A, BRK-B) has ventured away from his normal path of industrial and service companies to own a sizable 9.3 million share stake in dialysis center operator DaVita Inc.. The Oracle of Omaha tends to steer clear of most health care opportunities, so the fact that he's interested in this one speaks volumes.
For what it's worth, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A, BRK-B) has ventured away from his normal path of industrial and service companies to own a sizable 9.3 million share stake in dialysis center operator DaVita Inc.. The Oracle of Omaha tends to steer clear of most health care opportunities, so the fact that he's interested in this one speaks volumes.
3. Collectors Universe (Nasdaq: CLCT)
You would think a tepid economy would completely put the kibosh on collectibles. Collectors Universe says otherwise. That's not to say 2008 and 2009 were easy for the company, but memorabilia-authentication and certification service was just as necessary in bad times as it was in good.
The consistent revenue isn't even the sweet part about owning Collectors Universe shares for the long haul, though. It's the dividend that the smart money is enjoying. Even when the company slipped into the red in 2008, the organization continued to crank up its payout to what's now an amazing 9.0% yield. ... Continue to read.You would think a tepid economy would completely put the kibosh on collectibles. Collectors Universe says otherwise. That's not to say 2008 and 2009 were easy for the company, but memorabilia-authentication and certification service was just as necessary in bad times as it was in good.
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