Which Consumer Goods Companies are Admired Most?
March 11, 2009 - This week, Fortune magazine revealed the results from its "World's Most Admired Companies" survey, which asked business people to vote for the companies that they most highly regarded across multiple industries. Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola were among the eight consumer goods companies to make the list. Find out which other consumer goods companies made the cut. Plus, CGT reviews the financial performance of each amid a recession.
No. 5 - Johnson & Johnson: Sales for the year 2008 totaled $63.7 billion, an increase of 4.3 percent over 2007. But, for the first time in 76 years, J&J forecasts that its annual revenue will fall, dropping to between $61 billion and $62 billion in 2008.
No. 6 - The Procter & Gamble Company: Since CEO A.G. Lafley took over in 2000, the company's profits have more than tripled mostly because of innovation. Consistent with the company's guidance for the second quarter of 2009, organic sales were up 2 percent on price increases and positive product mix. Net sales declined 3 percent below the year-ago quarter at $20.4 billion primarily due to unfavorable foreign exchange and lower volume.
No 12 - The Coca-Cola Company: Like almost every company facing the recession, U.S. sales fell in the fourth quarter, dropping 2.8 percent to $7.13 billion, yet earnings still beat expectations due to international growth and a smooth CEO transition last year.
No. 18 - 3M: Company stock declined nearly 28 percent in 2008 and the company cut jobs and capital costs amid declining demand. However, 2008 sales increased 3.3 percent to $25.3 billion.
No. 21 - PepsiCo Inc.: In 2008, the company grew net revenue 10 percent to $43.3 billion. PepsiCo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi attributes its growth in an extremely difficult year to operating agility and disciplined execution.
No. 23 - Nike Inc.: In its fiscal 2009 second quarter, revenue grew 6 percent to $4.6 billion, compared to $4.3 billion for the same period last year. In order to drive even greater efficiencies, Nike announced in February 2009 that it would restructure its business, potentially resulting in an overall workforce reduction of up to 4 percent.
No. 38 - Nestle: In 2008, Nestle demonstrated its ability to deliver a solid operating performance in a tough environment. Consolidated sales amounted to CHF 109.9 billion, an increase of 2.2 percent compared to the prior year.
No. 45 - General Mills Corporation: Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 8 percent to $4.01 billion. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ken Powell says, "Performance through the first half of 2009 has us solidly on track to deliver strong sales and earnings growth for the year."
Click here to view Fortune magazine's full 50 most admired companies list.
No. 5 - Johnson & Johnson: Sales for the year 2008 totaled $63.7 billion, an increase of 4.3 percent over 2007. But, for the first time in 76 years, J&J forecasts that its annual revenue will fall, dropping to between $61 billion and $62 billion in 2008.
No. 6 - The Procter & Gamble Company: Since CEO A.G. Lafley took over in 2000, the company's profits have more than tripled mostly because of innovation. Consistent with the company's guidance for the second quarter of 2009, organic sales were up 2 percent on price increases and positive product mix. Net sales declined 3 percent below the year-ago quarter at $20.4 billion primarily due to unfavorable foreign exchange and lower volume.
No 12 - The Coca-Cola Company: Like almost every company facing the recession, U.S. sales fell in the fourth quarter, dropping 2.8 percent to $7.13 billion, yet earnings still beat expectations due to international growth and a smooth CEO transition last year.
No. 18 - 3M: Company stock declined nearly 28 percent in 2008 and the company cut jobs and capital costs amid declining demand. However, 2008 sales increased 3.3 percent to $25.3 billion.
No. 21 - PepsiCo Inc.: In 2008, the company grew net revenue 10 percent to $43.3 billion. PepsiCo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi attributes its growth in an extremely difficult year to operating agility and disciplined execution.
No. 23 - Nike Inc.: In its fiscal 2009 second quarter, revenue grew 6 percent to $4.6 billion, compared to $4.3 billion for the same period last year. In order to drive even greater efficiencies, Nike announced in February 2009 that it would restructure its business, potentially resulting in an overall workforce reduction of up to 4 percent.
No. 38 - Nestle: In 2008, Nestle demonstrated its ability to deliver a solid operating performance in a tough environment. Consolidated sales amounted to CHF 109.9 billion, an increase of 2.2 percent compared to the prior year.
No. 45 - General Mills Corporation: Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 8 percent to $4.01 billion. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ken Powell says, "Performance through the first half of 2009 has us solidly on track to deliver strong sales and earnings growth for the year."
Click here to view Fortune magazine's full 50 most admired companies list.