Stocks we love: 5 big earners

The second-largest biotech in terms of market value, Gilead Sciences has cornered the market for HIV medications. With 85% of its revenues coming from AIDS-related drugs in addition to an excellent product lineup, Gilead is well positioned to produce strong results in the current quarter and in the future.

"Gilead is the best of breed because it is immune to economic fluctuations," said Richard Russell, chief investment officer of Ariston Capital Management, who manages a fund with Gilead as its top holding. "If you have HIV, you're going to take a Gilead drug."

Gilead also receives royalty revenue from the lucrative Tamiflu drug. Gilead developed Tamiflu and licenses it to Swiss drug maker Roche. Gilead is expected to report a profit of 48 cents a share in the second quarter, up from 42 cents a year ago.

"With what can be described as a slow economy at best, we're in a stock market that will value long-term growth," said Russell. And it's hard to find better growth than Gilead, whose profits are expected to increase nearly 24% per year over the next five years.

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