Stocks for the Long Run: Brady Corp. 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. That way, "you'll be buying into a wonderful industry, which in effect is all of American industry," he says.

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, Brady Corporation (NYS: BRC) .

Brady Corp. shares have just about matched the S&P 500 over the last quarter-century:

Source: S&P Capital IQ.

Since 1987, shares have returned an average of 9.9% a year, compared with 9.7% a year for the S&P (both include dividends). A thousand dollars invested in the S&P in 1987 would be worth $19,200 today. In Brady, it would be worth $20,500.

Dividends accounted for a lot of those gains: Compounded since 1987, dividends have made up 40% of Brady's total returns. For the S&P, dividends account for 39% of total returns.

Now have a look at how Brady's earnings compare with S&P 500 earnings:

Source: S&P Capital IQ.

That's just a bit above average. Since 1995, Brady's earnings per share have increasedby an average of 7.3% a year, compared with 6% a year for the broader index.

What has that meant for valuations? Brady Corp. has traded for an average of 20 times earnings since 1987 -- just below the 24 times earnings for the broader S&P 500.

Through it all, shares have been pretty average 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 Brady Corp. with a four-star rating (out of five). Care to disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below or add Brady Corp. to My Watchlist.

The article Stocks for the Long Run: Brady Corp. vs. the S&P 500 originally appeared on Fool.com.

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