But, with most individual investors having an investment horizon of over 20 years, we should put more emphasis on the really long-term. With this in mind, what stocks should we expect to perform well over the next two decades?
Flexible displays everywhere
Currently, flexible LED technology has not moved past its prototype phase, but this futuristic concept could have a major impact on our lives in the year 2033. Once the technology achieves mainstream status, investors will want to own Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:PANL) .
Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:PANL)’s current revenue stream is mainly from OLED display sales to mega-customers like Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) and Samsung, that use these displays in smartphones and flat-panel TV’s. Because of these strong partnerships and the growth in flat-panel displays, earnings per share are expected to double this year and double again in 2014.
The next five years will continue to be promising for Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:PANL) as customers replace and add smartphones and additional flat screen TV’s. Screens will become larger and will use more mobile displays, making the OLED market a good bet over this time frame.
But Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:PANL)’s real potential lies beyond the foreseeable future. With 2,200 patents, including many in the innovative flexible panel arena, the distant future for Universal is in flexible displays. Imagine a foldable, electronic newspaper that actually updates daily. Or your window at home doubling as a flat-screen TV.
With flexible panels, information will be visible to us in places and ways we never imagined. Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:PANL) is in the enviable position of being the pioneer in flexible display technology, and investors should target entry points to accumulate shares.
Capitalize on crumbling infrastructure
In the United States, our infrastructure is crumbling around us. Bridges, roads, sewer systems, and power plants are in dire need of replacement and will have to be addressed at some point over the next 20 years. Additionally, population growth will necessitate bigger and better ways to transport, shelter, and feed citizens. With global infrastructure expectations of $57 trillion by 2030 according to McKinsey, there is huge money to be made in infrastructure.
URS Corp (NYSE:URS) is in a perfect position to capitalize on this upcoming spending trend. As a “leading provider of engineering, construction and technical services for public agencies and private sector companies around the world,” URS Corp (NYSE:URS) is number 14 of the top 100 Federal Government contractors, with 2011 government revenue of nearly $4 billion. As the most frequently used U.S. government engineering contractor, URS Corp (NYSE:URS) will definitely have a shot at some big projects over the next two decades.
Shares of URS Corp (NYSE:URS) have been very choppy over the last five years, mainly bouncing between $30 and $45 as patient investors collect a 2% dividend. At 9 times projected 2014 earnings per share of $4.82, the market has priced in only moderate growth. Investors with a longer-term horizon can buy URS Corp (NYSE:URS) in its current trading range and sleep well at night.
