10 Stocks That Won't Leave You High and Dry

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 5.6% this year and have a three-year, average annual return of 26%. Analysts give its shares eight "buy" ratings, two "buy/holds," seven "holds," and one "weak hold," according to a survey of analysts by S&P. Their consensus estimate is for earnings of $1.95 per share this year, growing to $2.09 next year.

Morningstar analyst Mark Barnett says that "despite its position, we recommend that investors dial back their enthusiasm when considering this investment, as government regulation limits the profits the company can make and creates hurdles to rapid growth."

2. Pall(Pll)

Company profile: Pall, with a market value of $7 billion, specializes in making water and air filters and owns patented filtering technologies and processes.

Dividend Yield: 1.43%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 3% this year and have a three-year, average annual return of 35%. Analysts give its shares three "buy" ratings, one "buy/hold," four "holds," one "weak hold," and three "sells," according to a survey of analysts by S&P. S&P has it rated "strong sell," based on weaker international demand "and our view that the timing and execution of a new global restructuring program will take longer than planned to implement."

But Morningstar says the company is poised to benefit from its high-value-added filtration systems that help end users lower operating costs. They have applications in everything from water systems to the bio-pharmaceuticals industry.

1. Basic Sanitation Company of the State of Sao Paulo(SBS)

Company profile: Basic Sanitation, with a market value of $9 billion, collects, treats, and distributes water throughout the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. The company also designs and builds water treatment facilities and distribution networks.

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 33% this year and have a three-year, average annual return of 45%. Analysts give its shares two "buy" ratings, one "buy/hold," one "hold," one "weak hold," and one "sell," according to a survey of analysts by S&P. Analyst expect it to earn $5.31 per share this year but that will decline 35% to $3.47 next year.