11 Small CG Firms Find Opportunity in Recession

October 19, 2009 - The recession has been an especially dark time for small business owners. In fact, 42 percent of the companies in the Russell 2000 small-company index lost money in the last 12 months, versus 22 percent for those in the S&P 500. Yet, a new list from Forbes proves that opportunity still knocks by calling attention to 200 Best Small Companies in America, which have all shown sales earnings and growth throughout the recession.

 

Candidates must have annual revenue between $5 million and $750 million, be publicly traded for at least a year and have a stock price no lower than $5. Rankings are based on earnings growth, sales growth and return on equity in the past 12 months and over five years.

 

A number of consumer goods companies made the list this year with the most impressive success story of all being No. 5-ranked Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, whose gourmet java that is sold through coffee shops and grocers, delivered a whopping 56 percent sales jump in the last 12 months.

 

Here is a list of the other small consumer goods companies featured on Forbes' list:5: