Procter & Gamble exploits the fear of germs

This is why Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is one of my favorite stocks that I don't currently own. In a recent press release, the consumer-products giant talks about Americans and its quest not to become ill via bacterial/viral infections. And, as you can imagine, the company offers up a solution, one that sounds like it will become yet another viable brand extension to its vast portfolio of popular products.

The product being promoted in the release is Vicks Early Defense Foaming Hand Sanitizer. The claim here is that it can afford germ-protection for a few hours after use. It sounds like an interesting item, but I must say, the press release is not only hilarious, but it's downright frightening, especially to someone like myself; yes, I admit it -- I am a germaphobe. I carry Pfizer's (NYSE: PFE) Purell everywhere I go, and I have emergency stashes in my car and jacket pockets; I wipe down keyboards, faucets, the whole bit (I even do this at my workplace in a proactive manner). I use almost an entire bottle a day. The release talks about people refusing to shake hands and even being so frightened of sickness that some go so far as to avoid kissing!

Let me tell you -- I am one of those people who hates doorknobs and shaking hands with others, so I think P&G has hit upon a nice product here; it's very marketable, at least. And again, this is why I love P&G and believe it to be a great long-term play -- it's all about a great product portfolio driving dividend increases over time. Companies like Clorox (NYSE: CLX), Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL), and Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) also are worth a look, but P&G is definitely an icon in this sector.