Morgan Stanley handpicks the 18 best US stocks to buy now while they're cheap to enjoy profits for years to come

Chip East/Reuters

• The coronavirus pandemic has created an opening to invest in the world's best companies at cheaper prices.
• A global team of analysts and strategists at Morgan Stanley singled out 18 US companies including Apple and Nike that should be on investors' shopping lists.
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Due to the coronavirus-led crash, many of the world's best stocks are trading at discounts that may not be available for much longer.

It is with this mindset that strategists and analysts at Morgan Stanley put heads together to come up with a list of the highest-quality companies on bargain right now.

"With uncertainty still high and with valuations now lower across the board, we think many investors will maintain their quality bias and re-engage with 'good companies at a better price'," said Mike Wilson, the chief US equity strategist and chief investment strategist for Morgan Stanley, in a recent note.

Wilson and colleagues around the world put the companies in their coverage universe through four fundamental screens: a minimum of $10 billion in market cap, an overweight rating, a return on equity in the top 50% of stocks in each firm's respective region and sector, and a decline of at least 15% from 52-week highs.

They also handpicked stocks from the master list that didn't make the cut based on these strict criteria but are forecast to generate strong returns on a multi-year horizon.

Listed below in alphabetical order are the 18 American companies that made the final cut, and quotes from Morgan Stanley analysts on why you should invest in these companies.

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