TheStreet.com Ratings: Top 10 Large-Cap Stocks

Each weekday, TheStreet.com Ratings compiles a list of the top 10 stocks in five categories -- fast-growth, all-around value, large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap -- and publishes these lists on the Ratings section of our Web site.

The rankings are based on our ratings, which assess risk-adjusted returns, as well as other criteria specific to the type of stock.

We update the lists at the end of the business day based on information available at the close of the previous trading session. The following day, we publish an article that takes a closer look at the ratings of the stocks on one of the lists.

Today we look at large-cap stocks. These are companies with maket capitalizations of over $10 billlion that rank in the top 50% of all stocks rated by our proprietary quantitative model, which looks at more than 62 factors. In addition, the stocks must be followed by at least one financial analyst who posts estimates on IBES. They are ordered by their potential to appreciate.

First on the list is Precision Castparts (PCP Quote), which manufactures complex metal components and products for aerospace and industrial gas turbine applications and has been rated a buy since December 2004. TheStreet.com Ratings expects the company to benefit from its recent acquisitions and capacity expansion plans. This, together with higher defense spending worldwide, may allow it to repeat the strong financial performance it displayed in the second quarter of its fiscal year 2007.

Risks to the buy rating include a potential slowdown in the aerospace industry, which could result in reduced demand for parts, components, supplies and services in Precision's end markets. Fluctuations in the prices of basic materials and any difficulty integrating the recent acquisitions would also be of concern.