This year is coming to a close, but there's still time left to buy stocks in top quality businesses, and watch them grow. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) is an index of 30 top U.S. stocks that are important parts of the American economy, and it's a great starting point for finding long-term winners.

American Express (NYSE: AXP), Visa (NYSE: V), and Nike (NYSE: NKE) are three of my top choices.

American Express has developed a distinct and profitable credit card model and has expanded into a range of complementary financial services. It's best-known for its credit cards, most of which come with an annual fee that goes straight to the company's bottom line. Customers are willing to pay that fee for the perks that come with card membership, and American Express has broadened its target market and capture a younger, more affluent cohort that should drive growth for decades.

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Source Fool.com