BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : JUNE 21, 1999 ISSUE: IT 100 SPECIAL REPORT
The Information Technology 100
KEY TO INDUSTRIES Comp = Computers and peripherals, INet = Internet companies, Netw = Networking, Semi = Semiconductors, Svcs = Services, resellers and distributors, Soft = Software, TelE = Telecom equipment, TelS = Telecom services
FOOTNOTES * Has agreed to be acquired. ** Total return is based on less than one year of data because IPO occurred since May 14, 1998.

1 AMERICA ONLINE (AOL) INet U.S. 4191.0 42 59.7 68 22.3 38 470.9 13 625.0
 The online service giant has the magic formula to attract 17 million subscribers and the electronic-commerce merchants that go after them.
(DELL) CompU.S.19859.01545.48656.4673.0721589.0
 Look out, Compaq, the mighty Dell is poised to become the top supplier of commercial PCs.
(SLR) SvcsU.S.6818.43156.77318.251141.244234.5
 Outsourcing 'R' Us: This top-drawer contract manufacturer helped pioneer this booming business and is setting future trends.
(VOD) TelSBritain4922.73738.9101108.6280.968960.4
 British wireless star agreed to buy AirTouch and will be the biggest cellular company in the world. Next big acquisition could be Germany's Mannesmann.
(CSCO) NetwU.S.10952.02639.89819.048127.6501943.7
 The king of networking dominates nearly every corner of the business--from Internet routers to new combo voice/data switches.
(EMC) CompU.S.4273.34135.810524.132131.247867.9
 As the amount of computer data stored by corporations grows, so does the leader in enterprise storage.
(WCOM) TelSU.S.24357.011203.519-3.413698.862-1534.0
 With the largest Net backbone in the world and the second-biggest U.S. long-distance business, MCI WorldCom is on a roll. Now, it needs a wireless strategy.
(INKT) * INetU.S.39.9177325.3919.5461233.32-24.2
 Starting as a search engine in 1996, it now provides large Web sites and storefronts software to handle huge amounts of Internet traffic.
(SUNW) CompU.S.11092.72517.315320.642203.731909.2
 The king of Unix and creator of Java, Sun will have to hold off Microsoft's assault on its computer workstation and server markets.
(MSFT) SoftU.S.17217.02026.013327.92772.9736940.0
 Upgrades to Office and Windows NT will drive the company forward, but Web-driven changes in computing plus ongoing legal headaches might slow the train.
(LXK) CompU.S.3135.55021.414152.57103.256261.3
 Who says all the good printers come from HP? This Lexington (Ky.) company is on the cutting edge of printer technology.
(NOK) TelEFinland9649.02813.016432.119132.4451191.9
 The Finnish giant is leaving Motorola and Ericsson in the dust while coming out with a flashy new phone every month. But it still needs a boost in Net technology.
(TLAB) TelEU.S.1802.36540.49629.42269.276433.8
 Telecom convergence reigns. So this maker of equipment connecting digital and analog networks is poised for further growth.
14QUANTA COMPUTER * CompTaiwan1587.07348.68474.0344.1102282.0
 One of Dell's favored suppliers in notebook PCs, this contract manufacturer has picked up clients IBM and Apple and expects continued sales growth.
(IBM) CompU.S.84366.017.018637.31391.4646762.0
 Forget mainframes and PCs. These days, the computer giant is all about the Net.
(CMVT) TelEU.S.696.110942.49229.223130.148111.5
 A leader in the field of automating call centers and help desks cashes in on push by firms to improve customer service.
(FLEX) SvcsU.S.1807.66462.46411.195126.15151.5
 Fast-growing contract manufacturer has acquired its way to the upper rung of job shops for hire.
(QWST) TelSU.S.2944.052267.516-18.9153114.253-832.6
 The upstart telco gained customers by acquiring LCI International and is developing services to fill the pipes of its leading-edge network.
(LU) TelEU.S.32750.0416.015622.43764.3792025.0
 After splitting from AT&T, the telecom-equipment maker has been soaring. Its next challenge: Grabbing a piece of the data-networking business.
(ATI)TelSU.S.5649.03252.0778.310799.061850.0
 Few believed a cellular pure play could thrive on its own, but AirTouch's success attracted buyer Vodaphone in 1999.
21NTT DOCOMO * TelSJapan25986.0918.714621.34061.9821706.0
 The Pied Piper of Japanese wireless services, this provider is now leading the way in developing a third-generation cellular phone system.
(JBL) SvcsU.S.1568.57430.411820.044143.24258.6
 Mega-profitable contract manufacturer is thriving on the fast growth of its networking customers such as Cisco.
(EBAY) INetU.S.75.4167577.858.9104932.648.1
 By bringing auctions to the Web masses, the online flea market aims to become a global bazaar that rivals the largest Internet superstores.
(QCOM) TelEU.S.3675.14337.71024.8120314.01951.7
 Develops and markets a key digital wireless technology, and aims to apply it to PDAs and satellite systems.
25HIKARI TSUSHIN * TelSJapan1538.77626.613016.563429.61660.0
 Small and agile, this wireless provider is way ahead of the big guys with its investment in Internet-based services for cellular-phone users.
(CLS) * SvcsCanada3592.34458.869-0.6131142.943-7.2
 Formerly IBM Canada, this freestanding outfit has become a giant in contract manufacturing, boosted by a crackerjack staff and Canada's low dollar.
(BTY) TelSBritain30346.1515.515819.34760.7833671.7
 Britain's top telco is aggressively expanding in Europe and Asia, and with new partner AT&T it has just acquired 30% of Japan Telecom.
(ORCL) SoftU.S.8296.52924.213734.91736.41121165.2
 Software-database maker is well positioned as the world moves more toward the Web and E-business.
29ASUSTEK COMPUTER CompTaiwan1160.08848.98346.0932.0115384.0
 Top-tier quality and reliability have helped this motherboard maker net big profits. Now it's diversifying into notebook PCs and CD-ROMs.
(AMTD) INetU.S.228.615294.04911.5941263.2123.6
 New marketing campaigns have this online brokerage growing faster than the competition.
31CAP GEMINI SvcsFrance4613.13828.612163.6415.7134473.0
 Worldwide consulting-services firm gets a big boost from clients seeking to fix Y2K bugs.
(TLS.P) TelSAustralia10730.0278.217641.31160.3852834.0
 It's a full-service domestic and international telecommunications giant Down Under, and the Australian government wants to sell off its two-thirds stake.
33HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CompTaiwan1250.08455.37439.01219.9130178.0
 Sales to Compaq and others have kept this maker of connectors and "bare-bones" computer cases growing at a healthy clip.
(AIT) * TelSU.S.17476.0197.418235.21455.8883846.0
 This Baby Bell has agreed to be acquired by SBC Communications, but regulators worry the combination would hurt competition.
(YHOO) INetU.S.258.7151186.5225.7115423.51738.8
 With 50 million registered users, Yahoo! has plenty to yahoo about. Not only is it the Net's most popular destination for information but it also makes money.
36ARIMA COMPUTER * CompTaiwan969.09973.75949.0812.514383.0
 As goes Compaq, so goes Arima. This one-client, one-product company has ridden the wave of Compaq's success with its Presario line.
(NSOL) INetU.S.115.3158116.94113.184217.92814.0
 Soon to lose its monopoly, it's likely to remain a leader in the business of doling out dot.com, dot.org, and other domain names on the Web.
(SBC) TelSU.S.29239.067.818131.12142.81034213.0
 The Texas telecom giant has become the most profitable of the Baby Bells, but now it's facing increased competition
(CWP) TelSBritain11737.92318.014941.61021.21292159.5
 British telecom company is looking to expand into Asia--but is likely bait for France Telecom or Deutsche Telekom.
(AMZN) INetU.S.816.2104272.515-226.8186767.47-175.8
 No longer just an online bookseller, the Web superstore has added music, gifts, auctions, and more to offer "Earth's biggest selection."
41GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY * CompTaiwan364.014562.56358.0545.210142.0
 You may never see this company's product, but folks who know computer motherboards trust it as one of the best.
(CMGI) INetU.S.120.515762.26512.787780.8687.0
 Part Internet mutual fund, part Web-based direct marketer, CMGI is a monster hit with day traders--and counts Microsoft and Fidelity among its largest investors.
(INTC) SemiU.S.27375.0811.217027.52837.31096794.0
 The world's largest microprocessor company dominates the PC industry, but now it's looking for growth elsewhere.
(CNET) INetU.S.66.317078.75613.678495.21231.3
 Want to know what laptop to buy or the latest techie news? CNET's combo of online and television programming spells it out.
(USW) * TelSU.S.12551.0228.0177159.9128.21171471.0
 This innovative Baby Bell serving 14 Western states has taken the radical step of merging with tiny Global Crossing.
(CPWR) SoftU.S.1638.47043.88932.41813.9140349.9
 Software industry veteran's products help companies build software applications and keep them humming.
(GTW) CompU.S.7843.43018.814526.23026.3118370.1
 CEO Theodore W. Waitt and his top brass have moved from South Dakota to mansions in San Diego--and have expanded their Country Stores retail network.
(SAP) SoftGermany5052.03651.07928.026-23.8184627.0
 The German power rules enterprise software, but it's taking a Y2K hit as customers postpone big installations. It's also playing catch-up on the Web.
(LLL) * TelEU.S.1126.09253.6767.3112131.54637.2
 Need secure communications? This is where the military and major airlines go.
(BLS) TelSU.S.23670.01212.016722.63636.71113250.0
 Thanks to high-growth markets, a strong wireless business, and expansion in Latin America, the last independent Baby Bell is still on its own. But for how long?
(MSPG) INetU.S.154.9155141.5302.7124304.1216.4
 With 1.2 million subscribers, MindSpring is one of the leading Internet Service Providers and, as a bonus, it's profitable.
(ASND) * NetwU.S.1683.06742.7901.6125107.35436.8
 The high-flying maker of specialized gear for moving Internet traffic agreed to be gobbled up by Lucent for $20 billion.
(AT) TelSU.S.5378.13415.615714.66868.677524.5
 As the bigger telecom players unload their rural assets, Alltel has built a $5 billion-a-year business selling phone service to small towns, farms, and ranches.
(FON) TelSU.S.16297.4217.318516.95972.1741590.4
 As competitors merge, the perennial No.3 long-distance carrier is trying to go it alone. Bet on the company being acquired soon.
(CTL) TelSU.S.1619.67250.88014.56926.0119232.2
 Rural telecom may seem dull, but CenturyTel's small-town customers are buying enough Internet, caller ID, and cell phones to create double-digit revenue growth.
(PER) SvcsU.S.1053.99627.512517.45683.66747.6
 After imposing a heavy dose of cost-cutting at his technology-services namesake, legendary founder Ross Perot pulled off a successful IPO.
(TEO) TelSArgentina3446.04561.06714.270-4.5164369.0
 This savvy Italian-French consortium runs the phone system in vast northern Argentina.
(EGRP) INetU.S.349.914873.560-1.8134816.35-17.8
 This online stock brokerage, which just bought Web bank Telebanc Financial Corp., aims to be the No.1 online financial service.
(TLD) TelSDenmark5373.13524.313621.53914.9137630.8
 Playing in one of Europe's most competitive markets, this Danish phone company is cutting costs while staking out positions in the rest of Europe.
(FRO) * TelSU.S.2636.4538.517517.35786.466183.5
 The Rochester (N.Y.) phone company, with local and long-distance operations, is being acquired by Global Crossing.
(RATL) SoftU.S.411.814032.611320.143103.15759.2
 Want to build the next gee-whiz application? You'll likely need Rational's development tools to help.
(GTE) * TelSU.S.25467.0106.718935.01513.71413262.0
 The local-phone company with operations scattered throughout the U.S. wants to merge with Bell Atlantic. Regulators are giving the deal a hard look.
(FTE) TelSFrance28762.5710.517113.57945.31002683.6
 Its global partnership with Deutsche Telekom hit the skids when DT courted Telecom Italia. Now FT's Michel Bon needs to come up with a new strategy in a hurry.
(TECD) SvcsU.S.11529.02463.46213.381-33.9190129.0
 A leading distributor of computer hardware and software products to retailers and direct marketers.
(DCLK) INetU.S.89.3162133.333-14.6150463.514-20.7
 This Silicon Alley star serves up billions of ads across a network of 7,400 Web sites.
(LCOS) INetU.S.109.4159144.429-10.0142210.529-37.4
 Traffic has grown impressively for this Internet portal, but how long can it survive without a partner now that Barry Diller's USA Networks has dropped its acquisition offer?
(RNWK) INetU.S.75.916595.248-7.5138521.711-6.2
 This streaming-media software company has been spinning deals recently to turn PCs into Internet jukeboxes.
(ATHM) INetU.S.67.4169443.18-22.7159234.526-131.1
 Expect big things from this provider of high-speed Net access over cable lines since it acquired Excite and AT&T bought a controlling stake.
(INSP) * INetU.S.13.5191451.37-10.4143252.524-9.8
 This wheeler-dealer Internet company packages and sells information to other Web sites while promoting its own site.
(BVSN) INetU.S.59.317385.9517.6110192.9347.5
 One of the few profitable E-business companies, it makes software that personalizes transactions and information.
71NINTENDO SoftJapan4455.03927.812413.28222.4124697.0
 Pokemon, Zelda, and Mario keep this company a perennial player in the video-game business.
(VRSN) INetU.S.47.9175159.727-10.5146243.825-17.0
 Its software helps companies, Web sites, and consumers make sure their data can't be stolen by hackers and thieves.
(CHL) TelSHong Kong1863.26349.6829.110121.5127596.1
 Other Chinese-owned "red chips" listed in Hong Kong are going belly-up, but this operator of cellular networks is one of Beijing's strongest publicly-traded companies.
(XMCM) * INetU.S.11.9193615.94-22.8161404.518-13.1
 The Internet direct marketer will soon become part of General Electric's NBC network, with Xoom CEO Chris Kitze leading NBC's new Internet unit.
(BCST) * INetU.S.30.0179138.131-27.11661211.13-16.7
 The pioneer Internet broadcaster became a hit and is being acquired by Yahoo!
(EXDS) INetU.S.75.7166324.310NM188438.315-75.3
 It pioneered the Web farm, and in seven data centers around the nation, it now hosts the Web sites of hundreds of companies.
(NXTL) TelSU.S.2183.457128.536NM18845.698-1571.4
 MCI WorldCom wasn't willing to pay the price for this wireless-service provider. Still, it's growing like crazy.
(EFII) CompU.S.468.213233.011113.87498.26358.8
 Helps turn color copiers into networked devices that produce photographic-quality images.
(TGO) TelSCanada2070.96041.7948.910221.5125128.5
 This international long-distance powerhouse is busy wiring the world, stretching high-tech cables across the globe to carry surging Internet traffic.
(ACS) SvcsU.S.1524.87737.110413.87521.312880.6
 With its large and diverse customer base, ACS is cashing in on the boom in business-process outsourcing.
(HLTH) * INetU.S.56.6174166.925-65.7177612.510-62.9
 Yet another Jim Clark hit. This one uses the Net to connect insurers, doctors, and patients to deep-six bureaucracy and inefficiencies.
(NOVL) SoftU.S.1117.79326.41327.7109124.952116.8
 The networking software maker is on the comeback trail, with popular new products and a visionary leader.
(BHE) SemiU.S.562.612057.37112.38941.210617.7
 This contract electronics manufacturer is beefing up through acquisitions.
(VRIO) INetU.S.154.6156194.520-68.5178194.633-138.7
 Helps small and midsize firms set up corporate Web sites.
(GIC) TelEU.S.2090.05917.91507.611180.669143.8
 Maker of cable set-top boxes now offers video, audio, and high-speed Net and data services over cable and satellites. Will it cash in big on the digital era?
(BMCS) SoftU.S.1303.98232.311427.429-5.2166364.3
 With several major acquisitions, this software maker reaches beyond its core mainframe business into products that help manage computer networks.
(DASTY) SoftFrance510.712751.67834.916-11.4171108.6
 France's star in computer-aided design. Its software is a hit with auto makers, but now the challenge is to push more applications onto the Web.
(IM) SvcsU.S.23609.21330.611715.066-44.5196227.1
 The Internet retailer's secret friend, this giant distributor provides warehousing, shipping, and services for the computer industry.
(PSIX) INetU.S.320.0149127.337NM188305.120-291.4
 The last of the independent Internet backbone providers is a tempting buy for a phone carrier in search of faster growth.
(OTE) TelSGreece3347.84815.016019.94512.5144757.0
 Greek near-monopoly is racing to upgrade creaky network--before competition arrives in two years.
(ERICY) TelESweden23558.0147.318420.7410.41591492.9
 Swedish telecom giant, bruised by Nokia battering, is restructuring--and casting about for an Internet strategy.
(MXIM) SemiU.S.602.711715.415924.03354.090192.8
 Makes so-called analog chips that translate sound, light, pressure, and temperature into digital form.
(TSM) SemiTaiwan1449.07914.316317.65442.4104458.0
 Not just a chip off the old block. This pioneer of the semiconductor foundry business is reinventing itself with advanced chip-design services.
(ALLR) INetU.S.24.3181132.234-22.8160229.427-10.2
 Many Web page designers swear by Allaire's Cold Fusion software, which smooths out the bumps of getting a Web site up and running.
(KEA) SvcsU.S.1131.19144.18825.931-38.6192103.7
 Who you gonna call to fix that Year 2000 problem? Keane's phone keeps ringing, but it's also plotting a post-Y2K expansion into E-business services.
(TDS) TelSU.S.1921.16230.61160.012946.6970.6
 A holding company with rural roots, this telecom haymaker bundles wireline and wireless operations.
(EWBX) * INetU.S.6.8198508.56-28.9169197.332-14.3
 Connects vendors, developers, and techies via its network of sites devoted to technology.
(SAPE) SvcsU.S.191.115481.5535.611762.4819.3
 By helping big companies sort out their technology strategies, Sapient has broken into the top rank of services.
99COMPAL ELECTRONICS CompTaiwan1150.08928.512223.034-0.5160159.0
 When it comes to notebook design, companies like Dell and Hewlett-Packard leave the details to Compal's crack engineers.
(GNET) INetU.S.10.2194221.817NM188758.78-1.2
 Investor Paul Allen pumped $300 million into this network of Web communities--and now he's getting it cable-ready.


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