Prudential Financial: Quality Growth
This financial-services giant caught the eye of the manager of Touchstone Large Cap Growth.
Shawn Price, manger of Touchstone Large Cap Growth fund (TEQAX) looks for companies with rapidly rising earnings and stocks that are outperforming the market. But he's pickier than that. He also screens for volatility and tries to weed out the chanciest stocks. "We want quality, not just hype," he says, "so we're obsessed with risk control." One stock that has caught his eye is Prudential Financial (PRU).
The Newark, N.J., company is known for life insurance, but some of its other businesses are sparking growth. Among them is a thriving international insurance unit that operates in more than 30 countries but focuses on Japan and Korea.
Prudential's investment arm also is performing well. It includes a retirement-services division and a retail brokerage operated in partnership with Wachovia.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Prudential earned $3.2 billion in the first three quarters of 2005, a 90% gain from the same period in 2004. It's scheduled to release fourth-quarter earnings on February 8.
The stock has tripled since October 2002 and now, at $77, trades at 14 times the $5.53 per share that analysts expect Prudential to earn in 2006.
--Katy Marquardt
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
The Surprising Truth About Loneliness and Longevity
We've all heard about the epidemic of loneliness that can shorten lives and make retirement miserable. But there's more to the story.
-
The Dollar Index Is Sliding. Is Your Portfolio Prepared?
The Dollar Index Is Sliding. Is Your Portfolio Prepared? The dollar's fall has been troubling because inflation appears to be constrained and the economy has been strong. Here's what it means for investors.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Berkshire Hathaway Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have Today
Berkshire Hathaway is a long-time market beater, but the easy money in BRK.B has already been made.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Procter & Gamble Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have Today
Procter & Gamble stock is a dependable dividend grower, but a disappointing long-term holding.
-
My Three-Day Rule for Investing: And If it Applies Now
Stock Market I've seen a lot in my career. Here's what I see now in the stock market.
-
Is It Time to Invest in Europe?
Stock Market Europe is being shaken out of its lethargy, militarily and otherwise, by Donald Trump's changes in U.S. policy. Should investors start buying?
-
Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged: What the Experts Are Saying
Federal Reserve As widely expected, the Federal Open Market Committee took a 'wait-and-see' approach toward borrowing costs.
-
Fed Sees Fewer Rate Cuts in 2025: What the Experts Are Saying
Federal Reserve The Federal Reserve cut interest rates as expected, but the future path of borrowing costs became more opaque.
-
Why Is Warren Buffett Selling So Much Stock?
Berkshire Hathaway is dumping equities, hoarding cash and making market participants nervous.
-
Fed Cuts Rates Again: What the Experts Are Saying
Federal Reserve The central bank continued to ease, but a new administration in Washington clouds the outlook for future policy moves.