The automaker took another step on its road to recovery. GM (GM, Fortune 500) posted solid results in the face of high unemployment in the U.S. and economic woes in Europe. Its stock price returned nearly twice as much as the S&P 500. And to top it off, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA, Fortune 500) took a big stake in the company, which is never a bad thing.
The buzz: After a spectacular run, GM's turnaround could be downshifting a bit. In November, sales growth slowed to 3%, down from 5% the prior month. That paled in comparison to the 15% gains for the industry as a whole. In 2013, GM's sales are expected to rise 4%, vs. 5% for Ford (F, Fortune 500) and 6% for Toyota (TM) and Honda (HMC).
What to do: Listen to the whispers, but hang on to the stock.
The good news: The automaker's Buick and Cadillac units reported their best performance in years. Because the company also lowered its cost structure following its government-assisted bankruptcy, General Motors has to sell only around 2 million vehicles in the U.S. to turn a profit -- it was already at 2.3 million as of November.
Related: GM unveils redesigned pickup trucks
Still, Bob Bacarella, manager of the Monetta Fund, says for new money, Ford is a better buy. Not only are sales more brisk, Ford reinstated its dividend. GM is unlikely to do so as long as Uncle Sam continues to hold a big stake.
In the topsy-turvy market of the past five years, these managers led their funds to the best performances. Here's what they're bullish on now.
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