Originally published on Best Stocks Category: best stocks to buy now Fonte: Getty ImagesIn the last decade, a handful of stocks outperformed the market by a wide margin. These select few stocks are known as best engineering stocks. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamentals behind best engineering stocks and review some of the top choices for investors in 2022. These companies typically outpace their peers when it comes to earnings growth and return on equity because they have inherent advantages as an engineering company. For example, they usually operate with low capital intensity, high fixed costs, high switching costs or high asset specificity. They may also have intangible assets such as brands or patents that aren’t recorded on balance sheet. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most appealing options for long-term investors right now.BoeingBoeing is one of the largest aerospace companies in the world. It manufactures commercial airplanes, military aircraft, and provides aerospace services. The company has grown revenue by an average of 6% over the last decade and earnings by an average of 10% over the last decade. Additionally, the company has one of the highest profit margins in its industry at 17.2%. It has a strong balance sheet with an excellent credit rating, virtually no debt and $13.9 billion in cash to fund future growth. In short, Boeing is a strong engineering stock with a history of outperforming its peers in growth and profitability. Boeing’s unique advantages include its strong brand recognition, wide customer base, and its ability to scale production for large orders. Boeing is best for long-term investors who can afford to wait out the occasional cyclical downturns in the stock price.CaterpillarCaterpillar is one of the largest engineering companies in the world. It manufactures heavy equipment and provides aftermarket parts and service for construction, mining, forestry and other industries. The company’s revenue has grown by an average of 4% over the last decade, and its earnings have increased by an average of 8% over the last decade. Caterpillar has a robust balance sheet, with $14.6 billion in cash, $11.6 billion in short-term investments and only $2.2 billion in long-term debt. It has a strong reputation in its industry, with a long history of successfully serving customers. Caterpillar’s biggest advantages are its ability to scale production and its low capital intensity. The company has been able to maintain a high return on equity throughout the past decade. Caterpillar is best for long-term investors who can afford to wait out the occasional cyclical downturns in the stock price.IntelIntel is one of the largest manufacturers of computer chips. The company’s revenue has grown by an average of 5% over the last decade and its earnings have increased by an average of 11% over the last decade. Intel has a strong balance sheet, with $38 billion in cash, $3 billion in long-term debt and $7 billion in short-term investments. Intel is also one of the leaders in its industry for research and development. It has an excellent reputation for producing high-quality products. Intel’s biggest advantages are its low capital intensity, high brand recognition and high switching costs. The company can produce a large number of chips with low fixed costs and high asset specificity. Intel is best for long-term investors who can afford to wait out the occasional cyclical downturns in the stock price.MicrosoftMicrosoft is one of the largest software companies in the world. It develops and licenses computer software, including operating systems, office applications and cloud computing services. The company’s revenue has grown by an average of 8% over the last decade, and its earnings have increased by an average of 10% over the last decade. Microsoft has a strong balance sheet, with $50 billion in cash, $8 billion in long-term debt and $15 billion in short-term investments. Microsoft also has an excellent reputation for serving its customers, with a long history of successfully developing and releasing software. Microsoft’s biggest advantages are its low capital intensity, high brand recognition and high switching costs. The company can produce a large number of software programs with low fixed costs and high asset specificity. Microsoft is best for long-term investors who can afford to wait out the occasional cyclical downturns in the stock price.MastercardMastercard is one of the world’s largest payment processing companies, facilitating electronic payments between merchants and their customers. The company’s revenue has grown by an average of 8% over the last decade, and its earnings have increased by an average of 20% over the last decade. Mastercard has a robust balance sheet, with $25 billion in cash, $31 billion in short-term investments, and only $6 billion in long-term debt. Mastercard has an excellent reputation for serving its customers around the world. It has been growing its network of partners and has been able to keep costs low while growing its business. Mastercard’s biggest advantages are its low capital intensity, high brand recognition and high switching costs. The company can process a large number of purchases with low fixed costs and high asset specificity. Mastercard is best for long-term investors who can afford to wait out the occasional cyclical downturns in the stock price.QualcommQualcomm is one of the largest manufacturers of wireless communication products, including smartphone modems and network equipment. The company’s revenue has grown by an average of 7% over the last decade and its earnings have increased by an average of 15% over the last decade. Qualcomm has a robust balance sheet, with $36 billion in cash, $3 billion in long-term debt and $22 billion in short-term investments. Qualcomm also has an excellent reputation for serving its customers around the world. It has been able to keep its costs low while growing its business. Qualcomm’s biggest advantages are its low capital intensity, high brand recognition and high switching costs. The company can produce a large number of wireless products with low fixed costs and high asset specificity. Qualcomm is best for long-term investors who can afford to wait out the occasional cyclical downturns in the stock price.Summing upEngineering stocks have outperformed the market in the past decade, driven by strong demand for their products and services. These companies typically outpace their peers when it comes to earnings growth and return on equity because they have inherent advantages as an engineering company. For example, they usually operate with low capital intensity, high fixed costs, high switching costs or high asset specificity. They may also have intangible assets such as brands or patents that aren’t recorded on balance sheet.With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most appealing options for long-term investors right now. Boeing , Caterpillar , Intel , Microsoft , Mastercard and Qualcomm are some of the best engineering stocks to buy in 2022.