Stocks for the Long Run: Tennant 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, Tennant (NYS: TNC) .

Tennant shares have outperformed the S&P 500 over the past quarter-century:

Source: S&P Capital IQ.

Since 1987, shares have returned an average of 10.7% a year, compared with 9.7% a year for the S&P (both include dividends). One thousand dollars invested in the S&P in 1987 would be worth $19,200 today. In Tennant, it'd be worth $25,500.

Dividends accounted for a lot of those gains. Compounded since 1987, dividends have made up 49% of Tennant's total returns. For the S&P, dividends account for 39% of total returns.

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

Source: S&P Capital IQ.

Some underperformance here. Since 1995, Tennant's earnings per share have increasedby an average of 4.2% a year, compared with 6% a year for the broader index.

What's that meant for valuations? Tennant has traded for an average of 24 times earnings since 1987 -- about equal to the broader S&P 500. It's different today, however. Tennant shares current trade for around 15 times next year's expected earnings.

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

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

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

Fool contributor Morgan Housel has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of Tennant. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Tennant. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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