Portfolio Project - Research Paper Example

For constructing the portfolio, the stocks of internationally reputed companies like Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), South-west Airlines (LUV), IBM, Procter & Gamble (PG) and Hewlett & Packard (HPQ) has been selected. These companies pay dividend which is one of the pre-requisites set by the client. All the information relating to profitability, operations and other related activities of the company are easily accessible. This is important as the analysis of the company fundamentals is possible only if the requisite information is available.

Moreover the selected companies belong to various sectors thus fulfilling the main purpose of portfolio i.e. ‘diversification’. Johnson & Johnson is the leading health services provider in US. The company extends support for the promotion of health and related services. It started its operations in the country nearly 20 years back and is presently working towards a global expansion. South-west Airlines is the leading airlines in US that managed to retain profitability even amidst the recent financial turmoil.

During this time when the major airlines across the globe were struggling to stay afloat South-west Airlines managed its profitability status through efficient management operations. International Business Machines (IBM) is an IT company operating across five segments Global Business Services Segment (GBS), Global Technology Services (GTS) and Global Financing Segment. In the last few years the company has been engaged in the acquisition of companies like SPSS Inc, Lombardi, National Interest Security Company LLC etc (MSN Money-a, 2010).

Procter & Gamble provides branded consumer goods. The company operates across 180countries through grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers etc. Its business segments include beauty grooming, baby care, home care, health care, pet care family care and fabric care (MSN Money-b, 2010). The prices of all the above