STALWARTS • These are big companies that aren’t likely to go out of business. The key issue is price, and the p/e ratio will tell you whether you are paying too much. • Check for possible diworseifications that may reduce earnings in the future. • Check the company’s long-term growth rate, and whether it has kept up the same momentum in recent years. • If you plan to hold the stock forever, see how the company has fared during previous recessions and market drops.
