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.

McDonald’s is the world’s largest restaurant brand, with nearly $139 billion in systemwide sales across more than 45,000 restaurants and over 100 markets. The quick-service chain built its early reputation on speed, consistency, and affordable hamburgers, and today its global menu spans burgers, chicken, breakfast, and beverages that have helped popularize American fast-food cuisine globally. The firm derives the bulk of its revenue from franchise royalties and rent (about 62%), with the remainder stemming from company-operated restaurants across three segments: the United States (39% of systemwide sales), internationally operated markets (35%), and internationally developmental/licensed markets (26%).

Congratulations to Spain for winning a World Cup! Yet Spain wasn't the only "winner," as some estimates have the tournament adding $40 billion or more to global GDP (with the U.S. economy likely getting a kick-up of around $20 billion). The World Cup indeed has been a defining event of this summer, with an estimated 5 billion people watching -- and 1.8 billion people viewing just the final alone. For 39 days, the world's game took over North America as 48 teams competed across 104 matches, 16 stadiums, and three countries. But the final match was the closing act of a much bigger show. This was the first 48-team World Cup, the first hosted by three countries, and (by a wide margin) the biggest World Cup that has ever been played. Historically, the World Cup has boosted relevant industries, like sporting brands, for months if not years after its completion. With 16 cities across three countries hosting, this was a rolling road show rather than just a single-city event. Thousands of fans visited the United States from all over the world. Hotels, airlines, and ride-hailing/short-term rental platforms all had a stake in a month-plus frenzy of fans moving between Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. The following is a list of Argus-covered companies we see benefiting from the World Cup.

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.