3D Systems Corporation (DDD), LinkedIn Corp (LNKD) & More: Three Buy-Now Stocks From the “World’s Greatest Growth Portfolio”

In Dec. 2011, I attempted to help out family and friends by creating what I considered an ideal growth portfolio.

If, during 2012, you had invested in the S&P 500, your investment would have returned 15.9%, after factoring in dividends. That’s actually outstanding. And yet, had you been invested in the “World’s Greatest Growth Portfolio,” you would have trounced the S&P 500, earning a 26.5% return on your investment.

Before 2013 began, I decided to review all of the companies to see which ones still made the cut and which didn’t. Since inception, if you had invested $10,000 in this portfolio, it would now be worth $12,800 — or $200 more than if it had been invested in the S&P 500.

Each month, I check over all 13 stocks in this portfolio and pick three that are particularly intriguing. That’s why I call them “Buy Now” stocks. Read below to see what those three stocks are, and at the end, I’ll offer up access to a special premium report on one portfolio stock that’s taken a beating lately.

Source: Fool.com.

LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD)
I figured I would start out with the one that would leave readers scratching their heads. LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) currently sells for 900 times earnings, and its stock has appreciated 175% since the beginning of 2012. Surely, this stock is due for a serious pullback, right?

Well, in the short term, it’s quite possible. And to be honest, that pullback could be significant. Then again, trying to predict short-term movements is a losing battle, and I think the long-term path of this company looks great.

Contrary to popular opinion, LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) only makes a slice of its money from advertising. Instead, it caters more toward individuals looking to get a job and companies looking for qualified employees. If it were to reach the height of its potential, LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) could completely rewrite the human resources division of large and small businesses alike.

And the company’s recent past shows that its model is catching on.

Source: LinkedIn. All numbers in millions. Talent Solutions comes from companies, Premium Subscriptions from individuals, and Market Solutions from advertisers.