The BusinessWeek 50, 2008

Special Report

How the 50 Made the Cut

We based our ranking system on two vital financial measures

The BusinessWeek 50 Rankings

This year's list of the best performers is our most international to date

BW 50 Interactive Scoreboard

Here's our annual list of the 50 best corporate performers.

BW 50 Sector Breakdown

A look at the top three companies in each sector

How Coach Defies the Odds

Even in a time of near recession, the luxury accessory maker is going strong through a mix of high-end and outlet stores, and steady innovation

Taking Stock of the BW 50

Given the often poor showing of growth stocks during a downturn, we ran two screens to gauge the possible stock performance of the companies in the BW 50

Video: Michael Mandel Talks About the BW50

Coach leads BW list of high-performers

Podcast: Behind the Cover

BW 50 Stories from the Past Year

Imaging Apple's Future

We asked design, innovation, and marketing pros what the folks who gave us the iPod should focus on now

Getting Hip to the Boomers

Stryker's new orthopedic technology gives aging patients an alternative to full joint replacement

Wooing the Next Pepski Generation

PepsiCo is building a potato chip factory in southern Russia and eyeing a deal to take the lead in beverages

Sempra Energy: All Charged Up in California

No longer just a utility, the company is moving into booming, unregulated markets

Buoyant Moody's

The ratings giant has plenty of critics, but it remains massively profitable

Microsoft and Cisco: Can They Still Be Pals?

They need each other, but in the race toward networked computing, each is out to be top dog

Who's Afraid of a Housing Slump?

Not Sherwin-Williams. Despite downturns, the paint giant hasn't had a loss since 1977

PNC May Have a Hedge Fund on Its Tail

Highfields Capital could soon be pushing the Pittsburgh bank to shake out some value