S&P Capital IQ Equity Research Top Picks Continue Outperformance of S&P 500® Since Inception

NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the inception of S&P Capital IQ's STARS* equity research ranking system on January 1, 1987, the company's 5-STARS (Strong Buy) ranked stocks have increased 3,056%, versus 663% for the S&P 500 Index, through December 31, 2013.  On a total return basis with data collected since December 31, 1992, 5-STARS have risen 1,387% versus 542% for the S&P 500. 

Including the recent results for 2013 it is the 20^th time in the 27-year history of STARS that S&P Capital IQ equity research analysts have had their Strong Buys outperform the widely followed S&P 500 benchmark.  In 2013, Strong Buys advanced 40.38% versus 29.60% for the S&P 500, an outperformance of 1,078 basis points.  On a total return basis including dividends, 5-STARS returned 42.76% versus 32.39%. 

Since STARS inception, the various stock rankings have performed in line with their forecasted purpose, as 4-STARS (Buy) have increased 1,551%, 3-STARS (Hold) have increased 1,121%, 2-STARS (Sell) have increased 475%, and 1-STARS (Strong Sell) have increased 53%, all against the benchmark S&P 500's increase of 663%.

"S&P Capital IQ equity analysts have once again been able to filter out stocks which have outperformed by focusing on variables such as revenue growth and margin improvement," said Stephen Biggar, Global Director of Equity Research at S&P Capital IQ.  "Correlations among S&P 500 constituents as measured by the CBOE's Implied Correlation Index dropped significantly from early in 2013, allowing analysts to showcase their stock picking skills.  Our growth-at-a-reasonable-price methodology, combined with a focus on business health, has also helped our analysts favor companies with lower risk relative to the broader market."

S&P Capital IQ Equity Research provides independent analysis on over 1,100 U.S. stocks. S&P Capital IQ's qualitative equity stock reports provide key statistics, proprietary measures and analysis, as well as consensus data.

*STock Appreciation Ranking System

About S&P Capital IQ
S&P Capital IQ, a part of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE:MHFI), is a leading provider of multi-asset class and real time data, research and analytics to institutional investors, investment and commercial banks, investment advisors and wealth managers, corporations and universities around the world. Evaluated pricing is prepared by Standard & Poor's Securities Evaluations, Inc., a part of S&P Capital IQ and a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. S&P Capital IQ provides a broad suite of capabilities designed to help track performance, generate alpha, identify new trading and investment ideas, and perform risk analysis and mitigation strategies. Through leading desktop solutions such as Capital IQ, Global Credit Portal and MarketScope Advisor desktops; enterprise solutions such as S&P Valuations; and research offerings, including Leveraged Commentary & Data, Global Markets Intelligence, and company and fund research, S&P Capital IQ sharpens financial intelligence into the wisdom today's investors need.  For more information, visit www.spcapitaliq.com.

All information provided by S&P Capital IQ is impersonal and not tailored to the needs of any person, entity or group of persons.  Past performance is no indication of future results. S&P Capital IQ and its affiliates provide a wide range of services to, or relating to, many organizations, including issuers of securities, investment advisers, broker-dealers, investment banks, other financial institutions and financial intermediaries, and accordingly may receive fees or other economic benefits from those organizations, including organizations whose securities or services they may recommend, rate, include in model portfolios, evaluate or otherwise address.

This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or other financial instrument. Securities, financial instruments or strategies mentioned herein may not be suitable for all investors. Any opinions expressed herein are given in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. Prices, values, or income from any securities or investments mentioned in this report may fall against the interests of the investor and the investor may get back less than the amount invested. Where an investment is described as being likely to yield income, please note that the amount of income that the investor will receive from such an investment may fluctuate. Where an investment or security is denominated in a different currency to the investor's currency of reference, changes in rates of exchange may have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of or from that investment to the investor. The information contained in this report does not constitute advice on the tax consequences of making any particular investment decision. This material does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs and is not intended as a recommendation of particular securities, financial instruments or strategies to you nor is it considered to be investment advice. Before acting on any recommendation in this material, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and, if necessary, seek professional advice.

This material is based upon information that we consider to be reliable, but neither S&P Capital IQ nor its affiliates warrant its completeness, accuracy or adequacy and it should not be relied upon as such. With respect to reports issued to clients in a language other than English and in the case of inconsistencies between the English and translated versions of a report, the English version prevails. Neither S&P Capital IQ nor its affiliates guarantee the accuracy of the translation. Assumptions, opinions and estimates constitute our judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. Neither S&P Capital IQ nor its affiliates are responsible for any errors or omissions or for results obtained from the use of this information. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

SOURCE S&P Capital IQ

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