Look up and down the list of companies used to compile this year's Top 50 Triad performers, and one general observation stands out. Service companies dominate the top spots, while manufacturers, especially old-line textile companies, bring up the rear. Companies are given a composite score based on their return to investors, total revenue, revenue growth and income growth. Last year, financial service companies held many of the top spots, and they're back again this year, but they're sharing the limelight with home builders and telecommunications firms among a smattering of other thriving companies.
Home construction is hot, especially in the Southeast, and it's showing few signs of letting up.
Lowes Cos., the North Wilkesboro-based chain of home improvement stores, placed second overall. Home builder D.R. Horton ranked in a tie for fourth and Pulte Homes was in a tie for sixth. All three had healthy earnings growth while offering nice returns to their investors. Boosting the construction trend has been a large dose of consumer confidence brought on by low unemployment. It has been the perfect recipe for people to spend money, whether it's on new homes and new cars or nice furniture and cellular telephones.