This list of companies presented below is designed to capture excess returns from quality stocks. Companies of sufficient size and liquidity that meet qualitative criteria relating to financial strength, business model stability and return on capital are selected. These companies have good financial health, low debt, high return on equity and net assets, strong net and operating profitability, and stable earnings over time. The quality factor has historically outperformed the market over the long term. Quality stocks generally perform better during economic downturns. Several geographic regions are proposed. The global list includes companies listed in the world's major financial centers. The other lists are regional: North America, Europe, Asia (Japan, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong), Emerging Markets, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.