Even though big-name stocks don’t always necessarily mean the best investments, sometimes trusting industry leaders is the right move. Especially if a company posts positive earnings and maintains solid fundamentals, buying some of the more veteran companies that lead their sectors is a smart use of money.

Here are three well-known companies that investors would be wise to buy:

Hanesbrands (HBI)

Hanesbrands (HBI) is known for selling more undergarments, socks and t-shirts than any other company in the U.S. Beyond the company’s namesake Hanes brand, Hanesbrands also produces Champion active wear, Playtex and Maidenform bras and L’eggs pantyhose. Hanesbrands sells its products in Australia, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the U.S.

Hanesbrands has been on a buying spree of undergarments companies, and it has continued this by closing on the $528 million purchase of DBApparel. Based in France, DBApparel designs, makes and distributes branded intimate apparel for sale across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K.  Hanesbrands’ brand portfolio includes 15 brands of shapewear, underwear, legwear and swimwear.  Hanesbrands has a workforce of 6,200 employees. With DBApparel’s strong presence in western and central Europe, Hanesbrands expects the DBA deal to increase 2015 earnings-per-share by 25 cents per share. Hanesbrands management expects the new business to add $1.00 of adjusted EPS within three to four years.

On Oct. 29, Hanesbrands reported that net sales increased 17% to $1.4 billion, while adjusted operating profit rose 23% to $217 million. Adjusted earnings per share jumped 41% to $1.73. The consensus estimate called for $1.68 EPS on $1.41 billion in revenue. So, Hanesbrands posted a 3% earnings surprise and a slight sales miss. 

Marriott International (MAR)

Marriott International (MAR) is another industry veteran. Marriott International, of course, is the hotel, resort and timeshare operator whose properties cover the full spectrum of luxury to economy.

Outside of hotels and timeshares, Marriott operates, markets, and develops residential properties, as well as provides services to home- and condominium-owner associations. At last count, Marriott had approximately 4,000 properties and 690,000 rooms in 77 countries and territories.

Marriott is increasingly moving upscale. Over the next several years, Marriott plans on adding 200 new hotels, 25% of which will likely be luxury hotels. These new hotels are expected to generate rich returns for Marriott.

At the end of the third quarter, Marriott operated or franchised a record 700,000 rooms worldwide. Marriott’s expansion efforts helped boost third-quarter sales and earnings. Net income rose 20% to $192 million or 65 cents per share year over year. Analysts were looking for 62 cents per share. So, Marriott International posted a 4.8% earnings surprise, which also beat its prior estimate of 59 cents to 63 cents EPS.

Beyond that, Marriott is expected to post double-digit earnings growth over the next several quarters. MAR stock also yields a solid 1.3%, and we’ll likely see another dividend declared shortly following the earnings announcement.

Alcoa (AA)

Alcoa (AA) is the undisputed leader in producing aluminum. Alcoa’s materials and engineered products are found in everything from aircraft to automobiles to consumer electronics.

Alcoa is looking great because its bottom line is being boosted by higher aluminum prices and lower raw material costs. This was demonstrated in Alcoa’s latest earnings report, in which Alcoa trounced analysts’ sales and earnings estimates. Compared with Q3 2013, net income skyrocketed 521% to $149 million, or 12 cents per share. Excluding special items (like a $202 million restructuring charge related to smelter and mill closures), adjusted earnings were 31 cents per share. Analysts had predicted 23 cents per share EPS. So, Alcoa posted a whopping 35% earnings surprise. Over the same period, net sales climbed 8% to $6.24 billion, which also topped the $5.85 billion consensus estimate by a hair.

This was a strong report, and Alcoa is expected to keep up the momentum. Helped by its acquisition of jet engine component maker Firth Rixson, Alcoa has signed billion-dollar contracts with Boeing (BA) and Pratt & Whitney. Alcoa expects the Firth Rixson acquisition to boost Alcoa’s annual aerospace revenue by 20% in 2014. Alcoa is also maintaining its 2014 forecast of 7% growth in global demand for aluminum.

Alcoa recently declared its next quarterly dividend of 3 cents per share. AA goes ex-dividend on Nov. 5, and Alcoa shareholders of record will be paid on Nov. 25. In the meantime, I consider Alcoa stock an excellent “buy.”

Louis Navellier is a renowned growth investor. He is the editor of five investing newsletters: Blue Chip Growth, Emerging Growth, Ultimate Growth, Family Trust and Platinum Growth. His most popular service, Blue Chip Growth, has a track record of beating the market 3:1 over the last 14 years. He uses a combination of quantitative and fundamental analysis to identify market-beating stocks. Mr. Navellier has made his proven formula accessible to investors via his free, online stock rating tool, PortfolioGrader.com. Louis Navellier may hold some of the aforementioned securities in one or more of his newsletters.