Total return: 85%
Fortune 500 rank: 380
Despite high returns for investors, Cablevision had a rocky year in 2006. In April, the cable operator borrowed roughly $3 billion to finance a special $10 dividend, landing it among the top performing stocks of 2006. The dividend also heralded a $600 million payout for the Dolan family, who used the funds to make another run at taking the company private. But the takeover bid backfired when an independent board committee rejected the offer and Wall Street has since criticized the move, saying that Cablevision ultimately jeopardized its financial position.The near-term financial picture doesn't look rosy either. Despite occupying one of the most lucrative cable markets nationwide, Cablevision faces a growing threat from telecom operator Verizon, which is investing in fiber networks to offer the same video, Internet and phone services that Cablevision provides its customers.
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