Stocks for the Long Run: Expeditors International of Washington vs. the S&P 500

Investing isn't easy. Even Warren Buffett counsels that most investors should invest in a low-cost index like the S&P 500. He says that way "you'll be buying into a wonderful industry, which in effect is all of American industry."

But there are, of course, companies whose long-term fortunes differ substantially from the index. In this series, we look at how individual stocks have performed against the broad S&P 500.

Step on up, Expeditors International of Washington (NAS: EXPD) .

Expeditors International of Washington shares have demolished the S&P 500 over the last quarter-century, with most of the outperformance coming in the last 12 years:

Source: S&P Capital IQ.

Since 1987, shares have returned an average of 20.4% a year, compared with 9.7% a year for the S&P (both include dividends). That difference adds up fast. One thousand dollars invested in the S&P in 1987 would be worth $19,200 today. In Expeditors International, it'd be worth $378,200.

Dividends accounted for a lot of those gains. Compounded since 1987, dividends have made up about 10% of Expeditors International's total returns. For the S&P, dividends account for 39% of total returns.

Now have a look at how Expeditors International earnings compare with S&P 500 earnings:

Source: S&P Capital IQ.

Again, solid outperformance. Since 1995, earnings per share have increased by an average of 18.3% per year, compared with 6% annual growth for the broader index.

What's that meant for valuations? Expeditors has traded for an average of 30 times earnings since 1987 -- above the 24 times earnings of the broader S&P 500. Expeditor shares currently trade for about 20 times next year's earnings.

Through it all, shares have been strong performers over the last quarter-century.

Of course, the important question is whether that will continue. That's where you come in. Our CAPS community currently ranks Expeditors International of Washington with a four-star rating (out of five). Do you disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below, or add Expeditors International of Washington to My Watchlist.

The article Stocks for the Long Run: Expeditors International of Washington vs. the S&P 500 originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributorMorgan Houseldoesn't own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this article. Follow him on Twitter @TMFHousel. The Motley Fool owns shares of Expeditors International of Washington. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

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