The Internet company -- which does big business as a portal, search engine, and game operator -- has surged as China has become the greatest Internet user in the world. In 2003, Fortune ranked Sohu.com as the third fastest growing company in the world, and it has been on the list for many years since then -- at No. 12 in 2009, and 89 in 2010. The company earns most of its revenue (a record $612.8 million last year) from advertising on its web properties and from sponsored searches.
Fortune's annual roster of high performers reveals the promising saplings that are rising in a difficult economy and some stalwarts that deliver year after year.
