JP Morgan picks 16 stocks to beat market turmoil

17/10/2008 - 17:59

(Reuters) - J.P. Morgan analysts recommended 16 stocks, including 3M Co , Google Inc , McDonald's Corp , Merck & Co , and Visa Inc , that they believe will be able to outperform a weakening global economy over the next 12 to 18 months.

Shares of companies that possess substantial financial resources, a profitable business model, and rank high in terms of cash return to shareholders are featured on the select group, collectively called "The Franchise 16," the analysts said in a note titled "Stocks to Own Beyond the Market Turmoil."

The 16 stocks, all rated "overweight," are:

3M Co

Baxter International Inc

Colgate-Palmolive Co

CA Inc

Devon Energy Corp

General Mills Inc

Gilead Sciences Inc

Google Inc

Hewlett-Packard Co

McDonald's Corp

Merck & Co Inc

Monsanto Co

Nucor Corp

Philip Morris International

Union Pacific Corp

Visa Inc

(Reporting by Anand Basu in Bangalore; Editing by Pratish Narayanan)