10 Best Stocks for 2012

The InvestorPlace 10 Best Stocks for 2012 includes 10 long-term investments from a group of money managers, market experts and financial journalists. Returns will be based on market close Friday, Dec. 30. Throughout the year, the writers will regularly offer updates on the good, the bad and the unexpected as it relates to their best stock for 2012.

Questions about the stocks or writers on our list? Email us at editor@investorplace.com or engage in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #beststocks.

MAJOR INDICES - YTD PERFORMANCES
DOW:
S&P 500:
NASDAQ:
1
MAKO Surgical
MAKO Surgical
42%
Current Return
Buy Price: $25.21
Current Price: $35.69
Industry: Medical Equipment
David Gardner
Investor:
2
Caterpillar
Caterpillar
28%
Current Return
Buy Price: $90.60
Current Price: $116.15
Industry: Farm & Construction Machinery
Dan Burrows
Investor:
3
Microsoft
Microsoft
21%
Current Return
Buy Price: $25.96
Current Price: $31.46
Industry: Software
4
Alcoa
Alcoa
20%
Current Return
Buy Price: $8.65
Current Price: $10.37
Industry: Aluminum
Jeff Reeves
Investor:
5
Turkcell
Turkcell
17%
Current Return
Buy Price: $11.76
Current Price: $13.77
Industry: Wireless Communications
6
Capital One
Capital One
14%
Current Return
Buy Price: $42.29
Current Price: $48.42
Industry: Credit Services
7
Banco Santander
Banco Santander
12%
Current Return
Buy Price: $7.52
Current Price: $8.46
Industry: European Banking
Jim Jubak
Investor:
8
FedEx
FedEx
10%
Current Return
Buy Price: $83.51
Current Price: $91.47
Industry: Delivery & Freight Services
9
Arcos Dorados
Arcos Dorados
5%
Current Return
Buy Price: $20.53
Current Price: $21.52
Industry: Restaurants
Josh Brown
Investor:
10
Hershey
Hershey
-3%
Current Return
Buy Price: $61.78
Current Price: $59.95
Industry: Consumer Staples
Jon Markman
Investor: