However, the last two quarters of 2010 is shaping up to be a better year than many expected for large-cap companies, leading to 12% returns in several mutual funds that pack together these stocks.

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Its observation comes on a day when a number of large-capitalization companies posted better-than-expected earnings.

FORBES: Big Caps Pack More Profit Punch

The large-scale view: The British Retail Consortium confirmed Tuesday that sales among its members had risen by a better-than-expected 4.2% in December.

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