STOCK PICKS: Top 5 All-Around for Sept. 23

By TSC Ratings Staff

Each business day, 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.

This list is based on data from the close of the previous trading session. Today, all-around-value stocks are in the spotlight. These are stocks of companies that meet a number of criteria, including annual revenue of more than $500 million, lower-than-average valuations such as a price-to-sales ratio of less than 2, and leverage that is less than 49% of total capital.

In addition, they must rank near the top of all stocks rated by our proprietary quantitative model, which looks at more than 60 factors. The stocks must also be followed by at least one financial analyst who posts estimates on the Institutional Brokers' Estimate System. They 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.

General Dynamics(GD Quote - Cramer on GD - Stock Picks) designs, develops, manufactures, and supports technology, products and services for use across the spectrum of military operations.

Our buy rating for General Dynamics has not changed since July 2003. This rating is based on strengths such as revenue growth, an impressive record of earnings per share (EPS) growth, and compelling growth in net income. Sales, earnings and operating margins increased in all four General Dynamics business groups in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The Combat Systems group experienced increased sales in its armored vehicle and tank programs compared with the year-ago period and significant margin growth. New-aircraft volume in the Aerospace group, increased shipbuilding activity in Marine Systems and continued strong demand for tactical communications and computing systems in the Information Systems and Technology sector also contributed to the overall strong performance. Revenue for the second quarter rose 10.8% year over year. This growth appears to have boosted the company's net income and EPS, which improved by 25.0% and 26.0%, respectively.

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