BW 50 is compiled from Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index, focusing on sales growth rate and return on investment capital. Each company is reviewed over a three-year period and compared against others from the same sector to allow BusinessWeek to determine the best performer in each peer group. An editorial board from BusinessWeek then reviews the list in order to provide human input.
Manitowoc was not ranked in last year’s BW 50, but has made the 2009 list with a sales growth rate of 25.9%, a one-year total return loss of 89.9% and a three-year total return loss of 78.5%. Other figures from BW 50 include a market value of $0.5bn, 12-month sales of $4.5bn and 12-month net income of $0.1bn.
“From 2005 to 2008, revenue at Manitowoc doubled, to $4.5bn, while its share price quadrupled,” BusinessWeek said of Manitowoc.
“Shares have lost roughly 90% of their value since last April’s peak, and the stock price is at a five-year low.
“One glimmer of hope: additional public works spending under President Obama’s economic stimulus package.”
Manitowoc was ranked alongside technology giants Microsoft (8) and Apple (15), web firms Amazon.com (23) and Google (35), telecoms services provider AT&T (38) and coffee retail Starbucks (32).
