Even with the market soaring to new heights this past spring, there are still ample reasons for caution. That makes this a perfect time to revisit the FORTUNE 40, the portfolio we've designed — and recalibrated annually — to help you thrive in markets both rocky and calm and build for retirement. Once again we're happy to report that our 40 favorites turned in a banner year, trouncing even the S&P's glitzy performance. Since its inception in 2002, the FORTUNE 40 has delivered an 18.3% annualized return, easily besting the S&P's 14.7%. It ain't broke — so we ain't fixin' it: FORTUNE is sticking with the strategy it's employed the past two years to update its portfolio and choose this year's stocks.