Many of the names are familiar, including General Electric, Merck and Exxon. They are part of the Large Company Stock Portfolio, managed by William A. (Bill) McCorkle and his three team members, securities analysts Doug Peck and Bob Beggs and Valata Dewalt-Butler, trader. The portfolio invests in large capitalization stocks, such as those found in the highly recognized S&P 500. The portfolio focuses on a long-term buy and hold investment horizon with companies known for solid business fundamentals and above average longterm growth prospects. Currently, the emphasis is on the high-growth technology sector and more traditional, or “defensive” growth industries, such as health care and consumer products. This strategy has allowed the portfolio to beat its benchmark (S&P 500) in 2000 and since Bill took over in late 1998.