hat sich CBS 20 vorgeknöpft, wobei CBS Medifast unterschlägt.
Gruss E.
TOP 10
Firstwave Technologies (FSTW: news, chart, profile). The runaway best performer this year is a tech stock - but one on the rebound. Shares of the customer relationship management software developer doubled in one day after reporting a profit for the first quarter, reversing a year-ago loss and tripling profits sequentially. Revenue rose by 152 percent. In the second quarter, Firstwave had a profit vs. a loss a year ago, while revenue again soared, by 128 percent. For the year, Firstwave shares have risen by 1,080 percent to $12.16.
Netease.com (NTES: news, chart, profile). Netease, one of two dot-coms that made it to the top 10 list, is one of China's "Big Three" Web portals. While U.S. Internet companies have fallen out of favor with investors, their Chinese counterparts have enjoyed a surge of activity not seen since the go-go days of the late 1990s. See story. Not only are the top Chinese portals reducing their reliance on online ads, they are getting more financially fit. Last month, Beijing-based Netease reported an operating profit. It also doesn't hurt that China has a booming economy. Shares have risen 1,000 percent gain to $9.97.
USANA Health Sciences (USNA: news, chart, profile). Getting fit is in. Shares of the nutrition and weight management products seller rose by almost 860 percent this year to $11.59. This week, USANA raised its earnings forecast for the fourth quarter, driven by an expansion into Taiwan. It now expects to earn 26 to 28 cents a share, up from its prior estimate of 20 to 22 cents. Sales should top $37 million, the highest quarterly sales ever at USANA. It's a repeat performance - the company had raised its third-quarter outlook as well.
Rural/Metro Corp. (RURL: news, chart, profile). One of the nation's largest ambulance service providers, Rural/Metro saw its shares rise by almost 560 percent this year as its bottom line steadily improved. Last week, the company was able to extend the maturity date of $152 million in debt to the end of 2004. To cut costs, Rural/Metro sold discontinued its operations in Latin America, including those in Argentina and Bolivia, due to the economic decline in the region.
Catalina Lighting (CALA: news, chart, profile). "Fiscal 2002 was a watershed year for Catalina," said CEO Eric Bescoby. Indeed, it marked the return to profitability by the lighting products maker. Operating costs fell while debt was reduced by nearly 40 percent - paid off with funds from the sale of a Mississippi warehouse, improved cash flow and conversion of debt to equity by the majority shareholder. Investors responded by bidding up shares by 487 percent this year.
Hecla Mining (HL: news, chart, profile). The top ten list wouldn't be complete without a gold mining company, thanks to the torrid performance of the yellow metal. This week, gold soared to as high as $355 an ounce on growing concern of a U.S. war with Iraq. Higher gold prices helped catapult Hecla Mining to the number six spot among 2002's best performers. Shares are up 422 percent to $4.91.
Lannett Co. (LCI: news, chart, profile). The generic drugs maker kicked butt this year and is off to a roaring start in fiscal 2003. Lannett reported a 108 percent increase in net sales for fiscal 2002 while the net income soared by nearly 380 percent. - its best results in 60 years of company history. For the first quarter of fiscal 2002, sales rose by 124 percent and profits by nearly 180 percent. The stock has likewise responded: Up 410 percent for the year to $17.85.
Clean Harbors (CLHB: news, chart, profile). Shares of the hazardous waste management company skyrocketed by nearly 60 percent in one day after declaring that fourth-quarter revenue would increase by at least 131 percent from a year ago and 2003 profits would range from $2 to $2.06 a share - up from the expected 17 cents for 2002. Revenues are forecasted to triple next year. Clean Harbors also stands to cut costs through its purchase of the chemical services division of Safety-Kleen. This year, the stock gained 404 percent to $16.99.
Reliv International (RELV: news, chart, profile). Americans' increased focus on health has boosted the fortunes of Reliv, a maker of food supplements, diet management products and sports drinks. This week, the company said it expects to post a more than 17-fold gain in profits for the fourth quarter and a nearly eight-fold gain in earnings for the year. Investors gobbled up the shares, up 375 percent to $5.
Ebookers plc (EBKR: news, chart, profile). Europeans took to the Internet for their travel plans, bidding up shares of the UK-based online travel agent by 367 percent this year. See story. Last month, the company said its third-quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was positive for the first time ever, despite a tough travel market after Sept. 11. Gross sales rose by 58 percent year-over-year while the net loss narrowed substantially.
BOTTOM 10
AirGate PCS (PCSA: news, chart, profile). An affiliate of Sprint PCS, the regional wireless phone company sells mobile services under the Sprint brand in seven states in the Southeast and Midwest. On June 6, the stock lost two-thirds of its value after AirGate slashed growth expectations due to tough market conditions. A slew of downgrades followed. In September, Standard & Poor's cut the firm's corporate credit rating over concerns about liquidity, distracted management and lackluster cash flow. In 2002, shares fell 98 percent to 81 cents.
Ntelos Inc. (NTLO: news, chart, profile). Once a rural phone company called CFW Communications, Ntelos now is a diversified telecom services provider. But shares have fallen by 97.8 percent this year to 34 cents on concerns about its liquidity and ability to meet bank loan conditions. Last month, Standard & Poor's cut its corporate credit rating, saying that cash flow improvement from the wireless business in 2003 is not expected to be enough to meet Ntelos' financial covenants. Moreover, S&P said the business risk for regional wireless telecom firms has increased materially, with aggressive marketing by national carriers and entry of new regional competitors.
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI: news, chart, profile). Formerly Neotherapeutics, the biotech company is worth more liquidated. See Sophisticated Investor. Shares are down 97.7 percent this year to $2.04. The company initially worked on treatments for central nervous system (CNS) conditions. But clinical trials for its Neotrofin drug for Alzheimer's disease showed that the treatment failed to achieve statistical significance over the placebo - and shares fell 67 percent in one day. Spectrum has switched to the cancer treatment market, offering its Satraplatin drug to fight prostate cancer.
DDi Corp. (DDIC: news, chart, profile). Shares of the contract manufacturer of electronics products dove 97 percent to 22.5 cents. Like its peers, the company is struggling against a slump in the tech market. DDi is restructuring operations and cutting costs, part of which came from job cuts. The company also had amended its credit line agreements.
Telewest Communications plc (TWSTY: news, chart, profile). Earlier this year, shares of the UK's second largest cable television operator plunged on concerns that bondholders would end up owning most of the company in return for forgiving debt. It turned out to be true. Last month, the Deal.com reported that Telewest was close to securing a $5.5 billion debt-to-equity swap deal with its bankers. Under the terms of the agreement, Telewest shareholders would own 3 percent of the company with the rest going to bondholders. Liberty Media (L: news, chart, profile) and Microsoft (MSFT: news, chart, profile) each hold a 25 percent stake. The stock is down 96.9 percent this year to $5.85.
Storage Computer Corp. (SOS: news, chart, profile). This data storage firm needs help from the tech downturn. Last month, Storage Computer reported a third-quarter net loss of $5.3 million vs. a loss of $3.7 million. Sales shriveled to $620,000 from $2 million. The company just lost a patent infringement lawsuit filed in the UK against Hitachi Data Systems. Shares are down 96.8 percent this year to 20 cents.
British Energy (BGY: news, chart, profile). The holding company for British Energy Generation provides 20 percent of power in the United Kingdom through eight nuclear plants. But falling electricity prices and technical problems at its power stations have hurt the bottom line. In November, the company said it must restructure to avoid bankruptcy. The British government has agreed to underwrite the cost of decommissioning its nuclear plants and extended an emergency loan. Shares dove 96.7 percent this year to 44 cents.
Net Servicos de Comunicacao (NETC: news, chart, profile). Formerly Globo Cabo, the company is Brazil's largest cable TV operator. But shares plunged as business weakened from a slump in Latin America's biggest economy. Also, the depreciation of Brazil's currency magnified the company's debt. The stock fell 96.6 percent to $1.18.
Sheffield Pharmaceuticals (SHM: news, chart, profile). The biotech company needs treatment of its own. Last month, Sheffield warned that it is in danger of ceasing operations since cash levels have dwindled to $700,000 while accounts payable and accrued liabilities top nearly $3 million. In the third quarter, the company lost $1.9 million - more than the amount of its total assets. Sheffield is developing drugs for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary afflictions and cystic fibrosis. The stock has fallen by 96.5 percent to 16 cents a share.
Sba Communications (SBAC: news, chart, profile). Shares of the wireless tower provider are down 96.2 percent this year to 49 cents over liquidity concerns. Sba has more than $1 billion in debt and is in danger of violating bank covenants as earnings dropped due to order cutbacks by wireless carriers, according to Standard & Poor's. With spending by carriers expected to remain weak in 2003, the company may not be able to improve profits materially since it has already taken major cost-cutting measures.
Deborah Adamson is a reporter for CBS.MarketWatch.com in Los Angeles.
