HOW THE INDUSTRIES STACK UP
The industries, BY PERFORMANCE
By

(FORTUNE Magazine) – In a country at war, there was no peace dividend this year. Still, a rising tide of economic growth lifted many a boat. All but four of 42 different industry groups reported higher profits this year; airlines trailed, again.

Fastest-growing industries

With the global economy beginning to stir, the basic industries that drive it turned in the best performances this year. What about telecoms, the darling of the '90s? The restructuring continues.

 

GROWTH IN REVENUES

 

GROWTH IN PROFITS 1 YEAR

 

GROWTH IN PROFITS 5 YEARS

 

Most profitable industries

Many of the industries that have done best over the past decade sell goods and services that provide basic human needs. Food, drink, shelter, and clothes, for example, are all in the top ten. Go figure.

 

RETURN ON REVENUES

 

RETURN ON ASSETS

 

RETURN ON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

Best investments by industry

The story of the past five years: You would have done well with the three H's--homes, health, and hotels. Over the long term, service industries rule, but industrial companies flexed their muscles in 2004.

TOTAL RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS*

1 YEAR

 

5 YEARS

 

10 YEARS

* Including capital gains or losses plus reinvested dividends.