Procter Gamble (NYSE: PG) is among the most well-known stocks on the market. The consumer staples giant is a core member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, after all, and has been paying a dividend for more than a century. It markets dozens of popular brands that are used by millions of people around the world each day. Chances are good, in fact, that you have several of its products in your house right now.

But what makes P such an attractive long-term investment? 

P competes in the consumer staples industry where it's the market-share leader in massive niches like diapers, paper towels, and laundry detergent. As a result of this prime positioning, the business enjoys unusually strong growth and is somewhat insulated from recessions. That's because consumers tend to prefer their favorite brands, and demand for these essentials doesn't decline much when spending rates slow down.

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Source Fool.com