10 Top-Rated Stocks for the Long Term

1.L-3 Communications (LLL) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 1. Analysts have raised EPS outlook for this high-tech Pentagon contractor. Five-year earnings growth rate: 23%.

2.Becton Dickinson & Co. (BDX) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 1. Medical supplies developer is No. 2 in its group in pretax margin and return on equity. Five-year earnings growth rate: 16%.

3.Genzyme (GENZ) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 3. Biotech large cap’s industry group is one of the best-performing over the past six months. Five-year earnings growth rate: 27%.

4.Covance (CVD) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 3. Clinical trial provider’s earnings growth rate is expected to hold firm in 2008. Five-year earnings growth rate: 23%.

5.Amphenol (APH) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 4. Communications cable maker expands its share repurchase program from 10 million shares to 20 million Five-year earnings growth rate: 32%.

6.Northern Trust (NTRS) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 4. Chicago-based bank holding company is No. 1 in stock-price performance among stocks in its industry group. Five-year earnings growth rate: 15%.

7.Ametek (AME) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 5. Test instrument maker’s sales growth slowed from 27% to 17% in 2007. %. Five-year earnings growth rate: 21%.

8.Stericycle (SRCL) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 5. Medical-waste handler has beaten Street’s estimates on earnings for eight straight quarters. Five-year earnings growth rate: 21%.

9.Emerson Electric (EMR) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 6. The diversified technology company has increased pretax margin for four consecutive years. Five-year earnings growth rate: 19%.

10.BlackRock (BLK) - View IBD Stock Checkup
Earnings Stability Rating: 9. Money management firm is No. 1 in IBD Earnings Per Share Rating among the 148 stocks in its industry group. Five-year earnings growth rate: 31%.