TRW Automotive Holdings
2009 revenue: $11.6 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 563.3%
The auto-parts supplier made a surprising turnaround, defying fears earlier in the year that it would collapse amid the car industry's downturn.
Thanks to a strong rebound in auto sales, the maker of brake, steering, and electronic components ended 2009 with a 20% jump in revenues. And TRW's ride may continue, owing to its reduced cost structure and rising sales.
2. Tenneco
2009 revenue: $4.6 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 501.0%
After a tumultuous 2009, this auto-parts maker now looks to be at the beginning of a lengthy expansion cycle. Tenneco, maker of emissions-control products, should benefit from its restructuring activities and cost-containment measures.
Additionally, the move toward stricter emission standards around the globe ought to support added demand for Tenneco's leading exhaust products.
3. Dillard'sFortune 500 rank: 348
2009 revenue: $6.2 billion2009 total shareholder return: 374.1%
The Little Rock, Ark., department-store chain aggressively slashed costs by closing underperforming stores and expanding the use of private labels, which generate higher margins.
Problem is, the plan isn't generating additional foot traffic, as sales continue to tumble at double-digit rates. Cost-cutting could keep the stock rallying for a while, but management needs to get customers back in the door -- fast.
4. Tenet Healthcare
2009 revenue: $9.2 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 368.7%
Tenet has come back from its near-death experience after regulators discovered fraudulent activities in 2002. After selling off underperforming properties, this conglomerate of 50 general hospitals now boasts the No. 2 position in half its local markets.
But Tenet is still highly leveraged, and shareholders are relying on the capital market to refinance the company's next round of major debt repayments starting in 2012.
5. Unisys
2009 revenue: $4.6 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 353.6%
The information services and technology provider finished 2009 in the black, ending a four-year reign of red ink. Profits got a boost from last year's four-pronged turnaround program, which slashed some $200 million in costs.
And management's new focus of fewer markets and a more value-driven product portfolio could give sales a lift in the near future.
6. Advanced Micro Devices
2009 revenue: $5.4 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 348.1%
Increased consumer spending on computers has been a boon for AMD's bottom line.
But rival chipmaker Intel is likely to be a bigger beneficiary than AMD in the event of a rebound in business spending, which many predict for the second half of 2010.
AMD's competition with its larger rival continues to look like an uphill battle
7. Ford Motor
2009 revenue: $118.3 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 336.7%
The auto giant recently had the fewest "things gone wrong" in the entire industry, according to an RDA Group study.
The revamped Focus and Taurus show the car company can make quality, fuel-efficient vehicles to compete with overseas rivals such as Honda and Toyota.
Ford's recent market-share gains give it enviable momentum.
8. Oshkosh
2009 revenue: $5.4 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 322.3%
This Wisconsin company secured multi-billion-dollar contracts to supply the U.S. military with cargo trucks for Afghanistan and Iraq. Now, Oshkosh faces military cutbacks by the Obama administration and the end of a key contract this summer.
Oshkosh's other businesses -- supplying fire trucks, ambulances and emergency vehicles to cash-strapped municipalities -- will be pressed to pick up the slack.
9. Health Management Associates
2009 revenue: $4.7 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 306.1%
The hospital chain's profits soared last year, thanks to higher admissions and a new physician-recruitment initiative.
President Obama's health-care overhaul also spells good news for the industry, as it boosts the ranks of the insured. More insured patients could mean a healthier bottom line for HMA.
10. Genworth Financial
2009 revenue: $9.1 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 301.1%
Losses from Genworth's U.S. mortgage insurance business likely peaked in 2009. Meanwhile, the company retains its leadership position in long-term care insurance, with more than a million policyholders.
Solid growth from new products and a larger distribution footprint could help boost profits over the next several years.
11. Micron Technology
2009 revenue: $4.8 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 300.0%
The economic downturn wounded several of the company's competitors, prompting cuts to chip production levels. But Micron emerged unscathed with chip upgrades and improvements to its manufacturing processes.
The variety of products that Micron's chips serve -- desktop computers, netbooks, smartphones -- bodes well for the year ahead.
12. Sanmina-SCI
2009 revenue: $5.2 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 291.1%
The company's ongoing restructuring finally appears to be bearing fruit, as the electronics maker for brand-name companies recently smashed analysts' profit expectations.
But the company remains dependent on a small pool of customers, many of whom are consolidating to fewer manufacturers. The loss of a major buyer could send the stock into a tailspin.
13. Western Digital
2009 revenue: $7.5 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 285.6%
Western Digital has been a star in the hard drive industry, solidifying its position as the No. 2 player behind Seagate.
Rebounding sales in the PC and consumer electronics markets should continue to boost demand for its products. And a more stable pricing environment may smooth out returns.
14. Ashland
2009 revenue: $8.1 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 283.5%
With its acquisition of Hercules, Ashland made substantial progress in transforming itself into a more-focused specialty chemical maker.
The company has also hinted that it will divest its Valvoline and distribution segments, as they are a poor fit. Doing so could unlock value for shareholders.
15. Huntsman
2009 revenue: $7.8 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 252.3%
Sales at the chemical giant's largest division, polyurethanes, tend to grow at two to three times the economy's pace. That will likely continue as uses such as insulation become more important.
And adhesive use in aircraft and autos should grow as manufacturers seek to reduce weight while maintaining strength in those products.
16. Virgin Media
2009 revenue: $6.0 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 243.2%
The company is doing a bang-up job of keeping Brits connected. Virgin is a "quadruple-play" communications services provider, offering cable TV, Internet, fixed-line voice, and wireless voice services.
But Virgin's return on investment remains below its weighted average cost of capital -- a red flag for investors.
17. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold
2009 revenue: $15.0 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 228.5%
The global economic rebound has sent copper prices soaring -- igniting a rally in the mining giant's shares. The company's profitability will remain tied to highly volatile copper prices.
But assuming the continued ascent of emerging market economies, global copper demand could keep growing.
18. CB Richard Ellis Group
2009 revenue: $4.2 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 214.1%
The commercial real estate services giant entered 2009 reeling from the credit crunch. But the company embarked on a cost-cutting campaign and in early June raised $550 million in new capital.
The infusion included a $100 million investment by hedge fund investor John Paulson, who previously made billions anticipating the real estate bust. Since his purchase, shares have doubled.
19. CarMax
2009 revenue: $7.0 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 207.7%
Shares of CarMax -- which sells, finances, and services cars through its 100 superstores in 46 cities -- have roared, thanks to higher prices and increased store traffic.
With sales on the rise, the company is widely expected to resume its expansion.
20. Whole Foods Market
2009 revenue: $8.0 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 190.8%
The high-end grocer survived the recession by doing the unthinkable -- pushing coupons, money-saving tips, and budget recipes. The move bore fruit for shareholders.
But with the stock now selling for a lofty 35 times earnings, budget-minded investors might want to look elsewhere.