IBM is a leading U.S.-based provider of enterprise IT hardware, software and services. In November 2021, IBM spun off the managed infrastructure assets of its former GTS business into Kyndryl (NYSE: KD). To align with its platform-centric approach, IBM has revised its segment reporting into four major categories: Consulting, Software, Infrastructure, and Global Financing.

The major indices are slightly lower at midday. Initial jobless claims edged higher last week but remain in a benign area at 214,000. Earnings reports continue to flow in and are the main catalysts for share-price movements in individual names, at least for now. But suffice it to say, the newsflow out of the Middle East remains a wildcard that could impact stocks in a broader fashion at any time. Crude oil is at $94 per barrel, the yield on the 10-year note is at 4.29%, and the VIX volatility index is holding steady at 19.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.

Value stocks -- a market segment that includes high-yield stocks -- outperformed growth stocks in 2022. In 2025, value stocks and growth stocks had similar returns, with growth advancing 13.8% and value returning 13.6%. That's a recent rarity, as for the past decade-plus, the performance record has favored growth. But in 2022, the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines gave a lift to some of the cyclical companies (energy and regional banks), and value stocks outpaced growth stocks that year. While growth stocks led for a few years after that, value stocks are back in the picture as investors rotate out of higher-priced AI growth stocks in search of more reasonable valuations. Value stocks tend to be more resilient in times of market uncertainty and higher volatility as they are less likely to overreact to economic news. In any event, the value sector is the place to achieve income.