The analysts said they picked their list based on attributes like low leverage, dividend yield, high net income margins and high free cash yields. J.P. Morgan analysts also looked for companies that they believe will outperform in a weakening global economy. Those companies would be able to maintain pricing power, market dominance, and perform counter-cyclically.

Here’s their list, which can be tracked at:

http://trackthepros.com/stocks/category/1846

3M  Baxter International  Colgate  CA Inc. Devon Energy  General Mills  Gilead Sciences  Google  Hewlett-Packard  McDonald’s Corp  Merck and Co  Monsanto  Nucor  Philip Morris  Union Pacific  Visa

      

Earlier in February we at Election Stocks covered the FDA’s regulation of the tobacco market and considered whether or not it would be beneficial to tobacco companies. Now Christopher Atayan from TheStreet.com writes in correspondence with our own Jeff Miller: Philip Morris is supporting the FDA regulation of tobacco because they believe it will freeze their market share at the current levels. RJ Reynolds is adamantly against it for practical reasons. I was at a recent RJ Reynolds customer event and they gave a very illuminating presentation on this issue and ramifications. Remember in the event the FDA does get control of tobacco they can oestensibly declare the product off the market any time they want. Or in the case of Lorillard they can declare menthol not an allowed product.That ability to decree an industry and company out of business is ...