The S&P 500 index is a prestigious club comprising 500 of the most prominent American companies. A company that joins the S&P 500 only does so after careful consideration by a committee that aims to ensure the index includes only the cream of the crop.

But even stocks in the S&P 500 aren't immune to adversity. Some S&P 500 companies are struggling even as the index sits near all-time highs. Some of these stocks are down from their former highs by as much as 43%.

Instead of chasing what's hot, consider why these three struggling stocks made the S&P 500 in the first place. Their current struggles don't change the fact they are wonderful buy-and-hold candidates worth considering for your portfolio today.

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Source Fool.com