The current spate of volatility in the stock market makes companies with strong profits and low debt burdens an attractive investment, writes Bloomberg columnist John Dorfman.

He cites several companies with a 25 percent return on equity last year and debt of less than 10 percent of equity.

The largest companies meeting those prerequisites are Apple, MasterCard, and Gap, says Dorfman, who also is chairman of Thunderstorm Capital.

Of those, he likes Gap best, because it has the lowest price-to-earnings ratio – 12, compared to 23 for Apple and 18 for Mastercard.

But Dorfman prefers several smaller stocks: Western Digital, Seagate Technology, Wet Seal, Loral Space & Communications, and Sturm Ruger.

Seagate is the No. 1 maker of computer hard drives, and Western Digital is No. 2. They should benefit from increased spending on new computers by both corporate and individual users, he says.

Apparel maker Wet Seal and satellite company Loral are turnaround plays.

As for gun maker Sturm Ruger, “It has been profitable every year for at least two decades,” and all three analysts who follow the stock are bullish, Dorfman says.

Another stock picker, Zacks Investment Research, likes Rockwell Automation for its growth & income category and Men’s Warehouse for value.

“Rockwell Automation has bright prospects for growth, especially in emerging markets,” Zacks wrote in a press release.

“Men's Wearhouse has put together a nice string of earnings surprises.”