This Low-Risk Stock Is a Long-Term Winner

In every stock portfolio, there should be a place for the investor to take some risk on a potential highflier that perhaps has some questions related to it, but also has huge upside potential. For every one of these potential high fliers, the investor will want to balance it out with a low-risk stock they know will deliver steady returns.

A low-risk stock that adds great ballast in any market condition is Progressive (NYSE:PGR). This property and casualty insurance company has churned out consistent returns over the past decade, wading through the economic and situational volatility of the world to produce returns that beat the S&P 500 over that same period (411% versus 226%).

When you think of Progressive, you probably think of its ubiquitous commercials and the wacky hijinks of their recurring cast of characters. How could you not? They are seemingly on TV 24/7 -- only to be followed by a competitor's commercial. It has often made me wonder: Are that many people really in the market for insurance? But I digress.

Source Fool.com