Top 10 Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now

As Federal Chairman Ben Bernanke concluded his two-day tour of Capital Hill today, and investors were handed a better-than-expected jobless claims report, both the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) and the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) �set new all-time record highs. The blue chip index ended the session higher by 78 points, or 0.5%, and set a new all-time closing high at 15,548. It also set a new all-time high at 15,589 during today's session. The S&P 500 rose 8.46 points, or 0.5% and also set a new record closing high at 1,689, and a new intraday high at 1,693. While the Nasdaq didn't set any new records today, it did increase by 0.04%.�

The better-than-expected jobless claims number came in at 334,000 last week as analysts were expecting 345,000 for the week.�This report, along with a number of earnings reports, helped push stocks higher. This morning, I explained why three of the Dow's components were moving lower due to lackluster earnings results;�now let's take a look at a few of the Dow's components that ended as big winners as a result of strong earnings today.

Best Insurance Stocks To Watch Right Now: Colgate-Palmolive Company(CL)

Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets consumer products worldwide. It offers oral care products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, and mouth rinses, as well as dental floss and pharmaceutical products for dentists and other oral health professionals; personal care products, such as liquid hand soap, shower gels, bar soaps, deodorants, antiperspirants, shampoos, and conditioners; and home care products comprising laundry and dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, bleaches, dishwashing liquids, and oil soaps. The company offers its oral, personal, and home care products under the Colgate Total, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate 360 Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Motley Fool Staff]

  Andres Cardenal:�Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL  ) , generates most of its sales and cash flows from its leadership position in the oral care industry. Management estimates that the company owns a global market share of 44.4% in toothpastes, 33.2% in toothbrushes, and 38.9% in mouthwashes.

Top 10 Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: Chevron Corporation(CVX)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in petroleum, chemicals, mining, power generation, and energy operations worldwide. It operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment involves in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as holds interest in a gas-to-liquids project. The Downstream segment engages in the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing of crude oil and refined products primarily under the Chevron, Texaco, and Caltex brand names; transportation of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment, and rail car; and manufacture and marketing of commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses, and fuel and lubricant additives. It a lso produces and markets coal and molybdenum; and holds interests in 13 power assets with a total operating capacity of approximately 3,100 megawatts, as well as involves in cash management and debt financing activities, insurance operations, real estate activities, energy services, and alternative fuels and technology business. Chevron Corporation has a joint venture agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation. The company was formerly known as ChevronTexaco Corp. and changed its name to Chevron Corporation in May 2005. Chevron Corporation was founded in 1879 and is based in San Ramon, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Chevron Corp.(CVX) intends to spend $39.8 billion on capital and exploratory investments next year, about $2 billion less than is expected for 2013, which was a relative peak year for such spending.

• [By Rich Bieglmeier]

  [Related -Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) Or Chevron Corporation (CVX): Which One Should You Own?]

  Chevron Corporation (Chevron) manages its investments in subsidiaries and affiliates and provides administrative, financial, management and technology support to the United States and international subsidiaries that engage in fully integrated petroleum operations, chemicals operations, mining activities, power generation and energy services.

• [By Rich Smith]

  Over the course of 365 days, that works out to $31.4 billion annually, or just a bit more than what Exxon says that it paid in taxes, all on its lonesome. So ... does this mean that oil companies Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP  ) , refiners Valero (NYSE: VLO  ) and Sunoco, natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK  ) -- that all these members of "America's oil and natural gas industry," combined, paid basically no income taxes, and stuck Exxon with the bill?

Top 10 Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: Visa Inc.(V)

Visa Inc., a payments technology company, engages in the operation of retail electronic payments network worldwide. It facilitates commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company owns and operates VisaNet, a global processing platform that provides transaction processing services. It also offers a range of payments platforms, which enable credit, charge, deferred debit, debit, and prepaid payments, as well as cash access for consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company provides its payment platforms under the Visa, Visa Electron, PLUS, and Interlink brand names. In addition, it offers value-added services, including risk management, issuer processing, loyalty, dispute management, value-added information, and CyberSource-branded services. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt Thalman]

  After losing 1.92%, Visa (NYSE: V  ) became the Dow's third worst stock to own last week. Once again, the move comes after the company reported earnings. While on the surface Visa's results were impressive -- revenue up 8%; earnings up 20%, increased dividend; announcement of a bigger share buyback -- the stock fell on Wednesday after the report came out. One likely cause is that investors were looking for slightly more from the company. For one thing, client incentives rose 20% during the quarter, which put a damper on revenue growth and made the earnings increase look less impressive. High expectations can mean price loses from time to time in the short run, but that shouldn't drive investors away from strong long-term companies, such as Visa. �

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Visa (V) gained 2.8% this week and Walt Disney (DIS) rose 2.7% to $80.31, to lead the Dow higher. Visa managed to gain despite sanctions being imposed on two Russian banks. Pepco Holdings (POM) surged 24% after it agreed to be purchased by Exelon (EXC) for $27.25 a share in an all-cash deal. Exelon dropped 1.2% this week. Energizer (ENR) jumped 17% after it said it would split itself into two companies.

Top 10 Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: International Business Machines Corporation(IBM)

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) provides information technology (IT) products and services worldwide. Its Global Technology Services segment provides IT infrastructure and business process services, including strategic outsourcing, process, integrated technology, and maintenance services, as well as technology-based support services. The company?s Global Business Services segment offers consulting and systems integration, and application management services. Its Software segment offers middleware and operating systems software, such as WebSphere software to integrate and manage business processes; information management software for database and enterprise content management, information integration, data warehousing, business analytics and intelligence, performance management, and predictive analytics; Tivoli software for identity management, data security, storage management, and datacenter automation; Lotus software for collaboration, messaging, and so cial networking; rational software to support software development for IT and embedded systems; business intelligence software, which provides querying and forecasting tools; SPSS predictive analytics software to predict outcomes and act on that insight; and operating systems software. Its Systems and Technology segment provides computing and storage solutions, including servers, disk and tape storage systems and software, point-of-sale retail systems, and microelectronics. The company?s Global Financing segment provides lease and loan financing to end users and internal clients; commercial financing to dealers and remarketers of IT products; and remanufacturing and remarketing services. It serves financial services, public, industrial, distribution, communications, and general business sectors. The company was formerly known as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. and changed its name to International Business Machines Corporation in 1924. IBM was founded in 1910 and is based in Armonk, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GuruFocus]

  International Business Machines Corp (IBM) Reached the 52-Week Low of $172.80

  The prices of International Business Machines Corp (IBM) shares have declined to close to the 52-week low of $172.80, which is 20.1% off the 52-week high of $215.90. International Business Machines Corp is owned by 34 Gurus we are tracking. Among them, 15 have added to their positions during the past quarter. Thirteen reduced their positions.

• [By Trustamind]

  ��y own preference -- and you knew this was coming -- is our third category: investment in productive assets, whether businesses, farms, or real estate. Ideally, these assets should have the ability in inflationary times to deliver output that will retain its purchasing-power value while requiring a minimum of new capital investment. Farms, real estate, and many businesses such as Coca-Cola (KO), IBM (IBM), and our own See's Candy meet that double-barreled test. Certain other companies -- think of our regulated utilities, for example -- fail it because inflation places heavy capital requirements on them. To earn more, their owners must invest more. Even so, these investments will remain superior to nonproductive or currency-based assets.��/p>

• [By Wallace Witkowski]

  That�� just in time for a ramping up of earnings season. During the four-day trading week, which ends Thursday ahead of the Good Friday holiday, nine Dow components report quarterly results. Those Dow components include Coca-Cola Co. (KO) , Johnson & Johnson Inc. (JNJ) , and Intel (INTC) �on Tuesday; IBM (IBM) �and American Express Co. (AXP) �on Wednesday; with UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) , General Electric Co. (GE) , Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) , and DuPont (DD) �on Thursday.

Top 10 Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: Apple Inc.(AAPL)

Apple Inc., together with subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, as well as sells related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications worldwide. The company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, it sells third-party Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores; and digital content and applications through the iTunes Store. The company sells its products to consumer, small and mid-sized business, education, enterprise, government, and creative markets. As of September 25, 2010, it had 317 retail stores, including 233 stores in the United States and 84 stores internationally. The company, formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc., was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Erin Kennedy and Evan Niu, CFA]

  Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) is releasing two new iPhones this year with larger screens, a 4.5-inch model and a 5-inch-plus model. While this wasn't exactly new information, it was more evidence from a reputable source that big iPhones are on the way. The report also said that Apple is "scrap[ping] the plastic exterior" used in the iPhone 5c. There has been no shortage of reports suggesting that the 5c doesn't sell well, and larger iPhones would target an even higher end of the market, so it makes sense that the company would use premium metal casings for these phones, rather than plastic like the 5c.

• [By Charles Santerre]

  If the Lumia 925 and 928 have a derivative design, the same can be said for the complete line of Galaxy Series by Samsung (SSNLF.PK) and iPhones by Apple (AAPL). If there is one quality Nokia is still renowned for, it is for its beautiful and sturdy designs. I have even criticized them in an earlier article entitled Nokia's Challenger Checklist for spending too much on quality in their handsets while it does not seem to be such a high priority for their competitors. In any event, the Lumia 925 has not yet been released, so it's too soon to obtain real feedback. The 928 has only been available for three weeks now. To date the average rating on Amazon is 4.5 stars out of 5.

• [By rsconsultant]

  Fairchild Semiconductor (FCS) wasn't fit as a fiddle at the close of 2013. Feeble orders from Samsung (SSNLF), one of its biggest customers, kept Fairchild down, and it was not able to take advantage of its supplier relationship with Apple (AAPL).

• [By Tim Brugger]

  Among other goodies Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) unveiled at its latest "big event" was its new Pay feature. Many headlines were centered on Apple's latest attempts to jump-start sluggish tablet sales with its new iPad Air 2, "the world's thinnest tablet," according to CEO Tim Cook. The updated iPad Mini 3 also garnered some attention from the big event.

Top 10 Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: Philip Morris International Inc(PM)

Philip Morris International Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in markets outside of the United States. Its international product brand line comprises Marlboro, Merit, Parliament, Virginia Slims, L&M, Chesterfield, Bond Street, Lark, Muratti, Next, Philip Morris, and Red & White. The company also offers its products under the A Mild, Dji Sam Soe, and A Hijau in Indonesia; Diana in Italy; Optima and Apollo-Soyuz in the Russian Federation; Morven Gold in Pakistan; Boston in Colombia; Belmont, Canadian Classics, and Number 7 in Canada; Best and Classic in Serbia; f6 in Germany; Delicados in Mexico; Assos in Greece; and Petra in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It operates primarily in the European Union, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. The company is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Fede Zaldua]

  Imperial trades cheaply and pays a great, sustainable and for-ever-growing 4.5% cash dividend yield. The company's 2014 10.4 times P/E multiple represents a 40% discount to what most European consumer staples sell for. Besides, the owner of brands such as Davidoff and Gauloises, trades at a much more conservative level than its direct tobacco peers. Philip Morris International (PM) and British American Tobacco (BTI) sell for 2014 15 and 14.2 times earnings, respectively.

Top 10 Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: McDonald's Corporation(MCD)

McDonald?s Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a worldwide foodservice retailer. It franchises and operates McDonald?s restaurants that offer various food items, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages. As of December 31, 2009, the company operated 32,478 restaurants in 117 countries, of which 26,216 were operated by franchisees; and 6,262 were operated by the company. McDonald?s Corporation was founded in 1948 and is based in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  Starbucks is hoping to woo thrifty coffee sippers, making this more of an attack on McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) , which has gained steam with its McCafe line of flavored but inexpensive coffee drinks. Dunkin' Brands (NASDAQ: DNKN  ) is also a target given the small-box nature of Dunkin' Donuts.

• [By Chris Hill]

  Shares of McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) fell on Friday after the company reported that global sales dropped in the first quarter. After hitting an all-time high earlier in April, is the stock poised for a rebound, or more of a pullback? In this segment, James Early shares his hope for humanity, while analyzing the restaurant giant.

• [By Stoyan Bojinov]

  Fast food bellwether McDonald’s (MCD) announced on Tuesday that it had rolled out a new payment method that it is testing in select cities across the Southwest.Lisa McComb, spokesperson for McDonald’s, commented in an email to Bloomberg that the company has released an application that allows for customers to pay at the register directly from their smartphone. McComb went on to mention that the payment app is currently being tested in restaurant locations across Salt Lake City, Utah and Austin, Texas. McDonald’s also released global monthly sales data on the day; sales in the U.S. improved by 0.2% for the month while Europe saw a 3.3% jump.

  McDonald’s shares traded higher on Tuesday, gaining 0.46% on the day. The stock is up nearly 10% YTD.

• [By Teresa Rivas]

  However a Deutsche downgrade hurt offshore drillers including Transocean (RIG), Diamond Offshore (DO) and Ensco International (ESV). Elsewhere, Michael Kors��(KORS) first quarter didn�� live up to investors��high expectations while McDonald�� (MCD) managed to come back from earlier losses related to the impact of the tainted meat scandal in China.