The Best Performers

  • THE BEST PERFORMERS

    07 February 2008 | The Australian Financial Review

    YOUR GUIDE TO THE TOP LISTED COMPANIES

  • In the long-term it's management that delivers

    07 February 2008 | Brett Clegg and Tracy Lee | The Australian Financial Review

    It's back to basics when global markets are volatile and equity valuations fall, write Brett Clegg and Tracy Lee.

  • Methodology

    07 February 2008 | Brett Clegg | The Australian Financial Review

    The universe of qualifying stocks for the AFR Best Performers 2008 survey was selected on the basis of total shareholder returns for the five years to January 31, 2008

  • Artful navigation gets you places

    07 February 2008 | Katrina Nicholas | The Australian Financial Review

    A Leighton veteran of nearly 40 years, Wal King has steered it through some rough water to success, writes Katrina Nicholas.

  • Keeping it cheap and simple means staying on song

    07 February 2008 | Sue Mitchell | The Australian Financial Review

    How does cut-price consumer electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi deliver almost five times the return of the market average? Sue Mitchell reports.

  • It's about timely identification of new leaders

    07 February 2008 | Ingrid Mansell | The Australian Financial Review

    Attracting and keeping the right kind of executives is crucial for any organisation, writes Ingrid Mansell.

  • Foremost a people company and one ahead of its peers

    07 February 2008 | James Hall | The Australian Financial Review

    The founder of a resources project consultancy ponders its remarkable success and future challenges and changes

  • One smart acquisition turns the tide

    07 February 2008 | Tracy Lee | The Australian Financial Review

    The shift in emphasis from fertiliser distribution to manufacturing was key, writes Tracy Lee.

  • Steady plan over 10-year cycle delivers results

    07 February 2008 | Stephen Wisenthal | The Australian Financial Review

    Margins in crude are set by outside forces, so getting everything else right is crucial at Caltex, writes Stephen Wisenthal.

  • Team keeps sales machine ticking

    07 February 2008 | Sue Mitchell | The Australian Financial Review

    The supermarket chain's remarkable performance is down to employee quality and loyalty, its CEO tells Sue Mitchell.

  • Pioneers find online jobs keep paying the bills

    07 February 2008 | Noelle Waugh | The Australian Financial Review

    The online employment website is benefiting from the shift of advertising dollars, writes Noelle Waugh.

  • Relationships rule as companies make slogans real

    07 February 2008 | Katrina Nicholas | The Australian Financial Review

    These days, corporate vision statements and the clear setting out of a company's values are becoming more common, and it's not just lip service, writes Katrina Nicholas.

  • Many organic opportunities are still waiting to be mined

    07 February 2008 | Michael Vaughan | The Australian Financial Review

    The company's strategy is to remain long and strong in base and precious metals, writes Michael Vaughan.

  • Team plays to its strengths

    07 February 2008 | Eric Johnston | The Australian Financial Review

    A focus on risk management and a collaborative approach have been essential, writes Eric Johnston.

  • Sustained approach key to seven years of highs

    07 February 2008 | Vesna Poljak | The Australian Financial Review

    A clear sense of purpose drives this service provider, writes Vesna Poljak.

  • Nomads, miners make an accommodating double

    07 February 2008 | Emily Parkinson | The Australian Financial Review

    Combining caravan and mine site cabin building has paid off handsomely, writes Emily Parkinson.

  • Managers with discipline master the art best

    07 February 2008 | Ingrid Mansell and Jemima Whyte | The Australian Financial Review

    M&A success involves sound preparation - and knowing when to stop, write Ingrid Mansell and Jemima Whyte.

  • The challenge to deliver in a sea of volatility

    07 February 2008 | Jemima Whyte | The Australian Financial Review

    Robert Elstone is making the most of extreme conditions, writes Jemima Whyte.

  • Confidence and relentless focus

    07 February 2008 | Neil Shoebridge | The Australian Financial Review

    Seven Media's dominance under CEO David Leckie looks set to continue, writes Neil Shoebridge.

  • Complex operation with a cast-iron reputation

    07 February 2008 | Jo Clarke | The Australian Financial Review

    OneSteel focuses on being Australian in modus operandi but performs with a definite global outlook, writes Jo Clarke.

  • Lazarus act over, Bowen looks beyond the boom

    07 February 2008 | Paul Garvey | The Australian Financial Review

    There's been a big turnaround at the small mining contractor, writes Paul Garvey.

  • Tyranny of distance still rules

    07 February 2008 | Katrina Nicholas | The Australian Financial Review

    Managing different cultures and time zones isn't really getting any easier, writes Katrina Nicholas.

  • The culture of science breeds healthy success

    07 February 2008 | Fiona Tyndall | The Australian Financial Review

    More good times ahead for the developer of a cancer vaccine, writes Fiona Tyndall.

  • Boom times bring generous support for the latest crop of market hopefuls

    07 February 2008 | Paul Garvey | The Australian Financial Review

    Big things are expected of some companies that have yet to turn a profit, writes Paul Garvey.

  • On the up but with an eye on the downside

    07 February 2008 | Stephen Wisenthal | The Australian Financial Review

    The boss of the coal seam methane producer likes to know the risks and then take it from there, writes Stephen Wisenthal.

RTC model

The US appears to be putting its houses - Fannie and Freddie - in order, writes Glenn Mumford.

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