Top Five Large-Cap Stocks

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

This list, updated daily, is based on data from the close of the previous trading session. Today, large-cap stocks are in the spotlight. These are stocks of companies with market capitalizations of over $10 billion that rank near the top of all stocks rated by our proprietary quantitative model, which looks at more than 60 factors. In addition, the stocks must be followed by at least one financial analyst who posts estimates on the Institutional Brokers' Estimate System. The stocks are ordered by their potential to appreciate.

Note that no provision is made for off-balance-sheet assets such as unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments, market value of real estate or contingent liabilities that might affect book value. This could be material for some companies with large underfunded pension plans.

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Leading the list today is PraxairPX, which produces, sells and distributes industrial gases. It has been rated a buy since August 2005. The buy rating is supported by the company's robust revenue growth, expanding profit margins, increased net income and notable return on equity. Revenue growth in North America was driven by higher pricing and increased sales volume; European revenue grew as a result of favorable currency effects and volume growth; and revenue in South America increased from new business and plant start-ups.