This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Large Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. Stocks of large-cap companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap.

With operational headquarters in Minneapolis, Medtronic is one of the world's largest medical technology and solutions companies. Its devices focus on cardiac rhythm management, spinal and surgical navigation technologies, treatments for diabetes and neurological conditions, vascular therapies, and cardiac surgery. MDT is a component of the S&P 500.

As of this writing, major indices are getting closer and closer to their all-time highs (ATHs) from July 10 and July 16 (S&P 500 and S&P 400, respectively). The only major index that has bounced enough to reclaim ATH territory is the NYSE Composite, probably due to the minor 5.6% pullback the index saw in the second half of July and early August. The S&P 500 (SPX) is within 1% of its July 16 all-time closing high of 5,667.20 and remains on its 'V' shaped formation and trajectory. The Chande Trend Meter is back up to 83%, indicating a strong and strengthening trend; the Vortex Indicator is close to bullish territory; the 14-day Relative Strength index is back above the midline 50% level; the daily MACD is back in positive territory; and the 21-day rate-of-change has cycled back into bullish territory after dropping into negative territory at the start of August. Some 75% of SPX stocks are above their key 200-day average, while 73% (up from 44% on August 5) are above their 50-day. More impressive, the more-concentrated S&P 100 (OEX) is showing 83% of its stocks above their 200-day average, up from a recent 65%. Both the SPX and OEX advance-decline (AD) lines have surged to ATHs prior to price; historically, that has been very bullish for at least the intermediate-term period. The Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) is 4.5% from its ATH near 503 and its AD line has posted an ATH prior to price. Some 71% of QQQ issues are above their 200-day, up from 44% just 10 days ago, while the percentage above the 50-day has jumped to 61% from 29% on August 7.

One of the largest medical-device companies, Medtronic develops and manufactures therapeutic medical devices for chronic diseases. Its portfolio includes pacemakers, defibrillators, heart valves, stents, insulin pumps, spinal fixation devices, neurovascular products, advanced energy, and surgical tools. The company markets its products to healthcare institutions and physicians in the United States and overseas. Foreign sales account for roughly 50% of the company's total sales.