The Return on Equity 100

Companies with at least $50 million in sales revenue and $25 million in shareholder equity are ranked by income as a percentage of average equity, over two years.

‘96 rank: 1

‘95 rank: --

Company: Alliance Imaging Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): $68

‘96 net income ($ millions): $13

‘95 return on avg. equity: 311%

‘96 return on avg. equity: 867%

2-year avg. return on equity: 589%

*

‘96 rank: 2

‘95 rank: --

Company: Guess Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 551

‘96 net income ($ millions): 50

‘95 return on avg. equity: 354

‘96 return on avg. equity: 365

2-year avg. return on equity: 359

*

‘96 rank: 3

‘95 rank: --

Company: First Alliance Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 71

‘96 net income ($ millions): 32

‘95 return on avg. equity: 109

‘96 return on avg. equity: 72

2-year avg. return on equity: 90

*

‘96 rank: 4

‘95 rank: --

Company: PLM Equipment Growth Fund

‘96 sales ($ millions): 24

‘96 net income ($ millions): 24

‘95 return on avg. equity: 134

‘96 return on avg. equity: 21

2-year avg. return on equity: 77

*

‘96 rank: 5

‘95 rank: --

Company: MacNeal-Schwendler Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 133

‘96 net income ($ millions): 10

‘95 return on avg. equity: 53

‘96 return on avg. equity: 98

2-year avg. return on equity: 75

*

‘96 rank: 6

‘95 rank: --

Company: Gemstar International Group

‘96 sales ($ millions): 57

‘96 net income ($ millions): 19

‘95 return on avg. equity: 37

‘96 return on avg. equity: 98

2-year avg. return on equity: 68

*

‘96 rank: 7

‘95 rank: 4

Company: Oakley Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 219

‘96 net income ($ millions): 46

‘95 return on avg. equity: 45

‘96 return on avg. equity: 87

2-year avg. return on equity: 66

*

‘96 rank: 8

‘95 rank: --

Company: Etec Systems Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 188

‘96 net income ($ millions): 46

‘95 return on avg. equity: 43

‘96 return on avg. equity: 79

2-year avg. return on equity: 61

*

‘96 rank: 9

‘95 rank: --

Company: Mossimo Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 109

‘96 net income ($ millions): 11

‘95 return on avg. equity: 33

‘96 return on avg. equity: 82

2-year avg. return on equity: 58

*

‘96 rank: 10

‘95 rank: --

Company: Chad Therapeutics Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 26

‘96 net income ($ millions): 6

‘95 return on avg. equity: 50

‘96 return on avg. equity: 59

2-year avg. return on equity: 54

*

‘96 rank: 11

‘95 rank: --

Company: Advanced Medical Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 111

‘96 net income ($ millions): 16

‘95 return on avg. equity: 30

‘96 return on avg. equity: 69

2-year avg. return on equity: 50

*

‘96 rank: 12

‘95 rank: --

Company: Arterial Vascular Engineering

‘96 sales ($ millions): 70

‘96 net income ($ millions): 23

‘95 return on avg. equity: 27

‘96 return on avg. equity: 72

2-year avg. return on equity: 50

*

‘96 rank: 13

‘95 rank: --

Company: ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 614

‘96 net income ($ millions): 100

‘95 return on avg. equity: 42

‘96 return on avg. equity: 54

2-year avg. return on equity: 48

*

‘96 rank: 14

‘95 rank: 7

Company: Cadence Design Systems

‘96 sales ($ millions): 766

‘96 net income ($ millions): 41

‘95 return on avg. equity: 19

‘96 return on avg. equity: 76

2-year avg. return on equity: 48

*

‘96 rank: 15

‘95 rank: --

Company: Pacific Gateway Exchange

‘96 sales ($ millions): 162

‘96 net income ($ millions): 6

‘95 return on avg. equity: 33

‘96 return on avg. equity: 62

2-year avg. return on equity: 48

*

‘96 rank: 16

‘95 rank: 8

Company: Safeway Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 17,464

‘96 net income ($ millions): 487

‘95 return on avg. equity: 46

‘96 return on avg. equity: 49

2-year avg. return on equity: 47

*

‘96 rank: 17

‘95 rank: 9

Company: Callaway Golf Co.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 679

‘96 net income ($ millions): 122

‘95 return on avg. equity: 44

‘96 return on avg. equity: 49

2-year avg. return on equity: 47

*

‘96 rank: 18

‘95 rank: --

Company: En Pointe Technologies

‘96 sales ($ millions): 380

‘96 net income ($ millions): 4

‘95 return on avg. equity: 28

‘96 return on avg. equity: 63

2-year avg. return on equity: 46

*

‘96 rank: 19

‘95 rank: 10

Company: WD-40 Co.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 136

‘96 net income ($ millions): 21

‘95 return on avg. equity: 44

‘96 return on avg. equity: 45

2-year avg. return on equity: 45

*

‘96 rank: 20

‘95 rank: 2

Company: WFS Financial Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 208

‘96 net income ($ millions): 39

‘95 return on avg. equity: 30

‘96 return on avg. equity: 60

2-year avg. return on equity: 45

*

‘96 rank: 21

‘95 rank: --

Company: Elexsys International Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 134

‘96 net income ($ millions): 9

‘95 return on avg. equity: 42

‘96 return on avg. equity: 45

2-year avg. return on equity: 43

*

‘96 rank: 22

‘95 rank: --

Company: Scientific Technologies Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 38

‘96 net income ($ millions): 5

‘95 return on avg. equity: 33

‘96 return on avg. equity: 53

2-year avg. return on equity: 43

*

‘96 rank: 23

‘95 rank: 5

Company: Tarrant Apparel Group

‘96 sales ($ millions): 230

‘96 net income ($ millions): 10

‘95 return on avg. equity: 32

‘96 return on avg. equity: 53

2-year avg. return on equity: 42

*

‘96 rank: 24

‘95 rank: 13

Company: Cisco Systems Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 5,406

‘96 net income ($ millions): 1,042

‘95 return on avg. equity: 39

‘96 return on avg. equity: 46

2-year avg. return on equity: 42

*

‘96 rank: 25

‘95 rank: 27

Company: Maxim Integrated Products

‘96 sales ($ millions): 425

‘96 net income ($ millions): 134

‘95 return on avg. equity: 42

‘96 return on avg. equity: 41

2-year avg. return on equity: 41

*

‘96 rank: 26

‘95 rank: 67

Company: McAfee Associates Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 181

‘96 net income ($ millions): 39

‘95 return on avg. equity: 45

‘96 return on avg. equity: 35

2-year avg. return on equity: 40

*

‘96 rank: 27

‘95 rank: --

Company: Image Entertainment Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 86

‘96 net income ($ millions): 3

‘95 return on avg. equity: 18

‘96 return on avg. equity: 62

2-year avg. return on equity: 40

*

‘96 rank: 28

‘95 rank: --

Company: Equity Marketing Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 112

‘96 net income ($ millions): 7

‘95 return on avg. equity: 42

‘96 return on avg. equity: 38

2-year avg. return on equity: 40

*

‘96 rank: 29

‘95 rank: 31

Company: Altera Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 503

‘96 net income ($ millions): 112

‘95 return on avg. equity: 34

‘96 return on avg. equity: 45

2-year avg. return on equity: 40

*

‘96 rank: 30

‘95 rank: 11

Company: Oracle Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 5,200

‘96 net income ($ millions): 728

‘95 return on avg. equity: 38

‘96 return on avg. equity: 40

2-year avg. return on equity: 39

*

‘96 rank: 31

‘95 rank: --

Company: Smart Modular Technologies

‘96 sales ($ millions): 443

‘96 net income ($ millions): 28

‘95 return on avg. equity: 36

‘96 return on avg. equity: 42

2-year avg. return on equity: 39

*

‘96 rank: 32

‘95 rank: --

Company: Angeles Mtg. Inv. Trust

‘96 sales ($ millions): 10

‘96 net income ($ millions): 9

‘95 return on avg. equity: 24

‘96 return on avg. equity: 54

2-year avg. return on equity: 39

*

‘96 rank: 33

‘95 rank: 28

Company: Amgen Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 2,307

‘96 net income ($ millions): 717

‘95 return on avg. equity: 40

‘96 return on avg. equity: 37

2-year avg. return on equity: 38

*

‘96 rank: 34

‘95 rank: 39

Company: Intel Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 22,651

‘96 net income ($ millions): 6,246

‘95 return on avg. equity: 43

‘96 return on avg. equity: 31

2-year avg. return on equity: 37

*

‘96 rank: 35

‘95 rank: --

Company: PIA Merchandising Service

‘96 sales ($ millions): 120

‘96 net income ($ millions): 4

‘95 return on avg. equity: 14

‘96 return on avg. equity: 59

2-year avg. return on equity: 36

*

‘96 rank: 36

‘95 rank: 30

Company: Chips & Technologies Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 169

‘96 net income ($ millions): 33

‘95 return on avg. equity: 36

‘96 return on avg. equity: 36

2-year avg. return on equity: 36

*

‘96 rank: 37

‘95 rank: --

Company: Foodmaker Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 1,056

‘96 net income ($ millions): 24

‘95 return on avg. equity: 52

‘96 return on avg. equity: 20

2-year avg. return on equity: 36

*

‘96 rank: 38

‘95 rank: 20

Company: Encad Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 107

‘96 net income ($ millions): 13

‘95 return on avg. equity: 39

‘96 return on avg. equity: 32

2-year avg. return on equity: 36

*

‘96 rank: 39

‘95 rank: --

Company: Semtech Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 65

‘96 net income ($ millions): 8

‘95 return on avg. equity: 29

‘96 return on avg. equity: 42

2-year avg. return on equity: 36

*

‘96 rank: 40

‘95 rank: 56

Company: MDL Information Systems

‘96 sales ($ millions): 70

‘96 net income ($ millions): 14

‘95 return on avg. equity: 35

‘96 return on avg. equity: 36

2-year avg. return on equity: 35

*

‘96 rank: 41

‘95 rank: --

Company: Molecular Devices Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 31

‘96 net income ($ millions): 2

‘95 return on avg. equity: 9

‘96 return on avg. equity: 61

2-year avg. return on equity: 35

*

‘96 rank: 42

‘95 rank: --

Company: Lumisys Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 24

‘96 net income ($ millions): 4

‘95 return on avg. equity: 16

‘96 return on avg. equity: 54

2-year avg. return on equity: 35

*

‘96 rank: 43

‘95 rank: 15

Company: Cohu Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 159

‘96 net income ($ millions): 24

‘95 return on avg. equity: 28

‘96 return on avg. equity: 41

2-year avg. return on equity: 35

*

‘96 rank: 44

‘95 rank: --

Company: McFarland Energy Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 26

‘96 net income ($ millions): 7

‘95 return on avg. equity: 19

‘96 return on avg. equity: 49

2-year avg. return on equity: 34

*

‘96 rank: 45

‘95 rank: --

Company: Sanmina Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 335

‘96 net income ($ millions): 35

‘95 return on avg. equity: 35

‘96 return on avg. equity: 32

2-year avg. return on equity: 34

*

‘96 rank: 46

‘95 rank: --

Company: Veritas Software Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 54

‘96 net income ($ millions): 13

‘95 return on avg. equity: 34

‘96 return on avg. equity: 33

2-year avg. return on equity: 34

*

‘96 rank: 47

‘95 rank: --

Company: Imperial Credit Industries

‘96 sales ($ millions): NA

‘96 net income ($ millions): 82

‘95 return on avg. equity: 49

‘96 return on avg. equity: 17

2-year avg. return on equity: 33

*

‘96 rank: 48

‘95 rank: --

Company: Premisys Communications

‘96 sales ($ millions): 93

‘96 net income ($ millions): 21

‘95 return on avg. equity: 29

‘96 return on avg. equity: 37

2-year avg. return on equity: 33

*

‘96 rank: 49

‘95 rank: --

Company: St. John Knits Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 214

‘96 net income ($ millions): 29

‘95 return on avg. equity: 32

‘96 return on avg. equity: 33

2-year avg. return on equity: 33

*

‘96 rank: 50

‘95 rank: --

Company: Microsemi Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 158

‘96 net income ($ millions): 9

‘95 return on avg. equity: 32

‘96 return on avg. equity: 34

2-year avg. return on equity: 33

*

‘96 rank: 51

‘95 rank: 19

Company: Linear Technology Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): $365

‘96 net income ($ millions): $128

‘95 return on avg. equity: 28%

‘96 return on avg. equity: 37%

2-year avg. return on equity: 33%

*

‘96 rank: 52

‘95 rank: 37

Company: Western Digital Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 3,919

‘96 net income ($ millions): 212

‘95 return on avg. equity: 45

‘96 return on avg. equity: 20

2-year avg. return on equity: 33

*

‘96 rank: 53

‘95 rank: --

Company: Learning Tree International

‘96 sales ($ millions): 116

‘96 net income ($ millions): 12

‘95 return on avg. equity: 26

‘96 return on avg. equity: 39

2-year avg. return on equity: 32

*

‘96 rank: 54

‘95 rank: --

Company: Applied Magnetics Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 372

‘96 net income ($ millions): 55

‘95 return on avg. equity: 41

‘96 return on avg. equity: 23

2-year avg. return on equity: 32

*

‘96 rank: 55

‘95 rank: --

Company: Consumer Portfolio Services

‘96 sales ($ millions): 51

‘96 net income ($ millions): 14

‘95 return on avg. equity: 30

‘96 return on avg. equity: 33

2-year avg. return on equity: 32

*

‘96 rank: 56

‘95 rank: --

Company: North Face Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 158

‘96 net income ($ millions): 6

‘95 return on avg. equity: 21

‘96 return on avg. equity: 42

2-year avg. return on equity: 32

*

‘96 rank: 57

‘95 rank: 63

Company: Electronics for Imaging

‘96 sales ($ millions): 325

‘96 net income ($ millions): 70

‘95 return on avg. equity: 34

‘96 return on avg. equity: 29

2-year avg. return on equity: 31

*

‘96 rank: 58

‘95 rank: --

Company: 20th Century Industries

‘96 sales ($ millions): NA

‘96 net income ($ millions): 75

‘95 return on avg. equity: 24

‘96 return on avg. equity: 39

2-year avg. return on equity: 31

*

‘96 rank: 59

‘95 rank: 36

Company: Charles Schwab Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 1,940

‘96 net income ($ millions): 254

‘95 return on avg. equity: 33

‘96 return on avg. equity: 30

2-year avg. return on equity: 31

*

‘96 rank: 60

‘95 rank: 26

Company: Xilinx Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 566

‘96 net income ($ millions): 114

‘95 return on avg. equity: 28

‘96 return on avg. equity: 33

2-year avg. return on equity: 30

*

‘96 rank: 61

‘95 rank: 18

Company: 3Com Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 2,977

‘96 net income ($ millions): 314

‘95 return on avg. equity: 30

‘96 return on avg. equity: 31

2-year avg. return on equity: 30

*

‘96 rank: 62

‘95 rank: 72

Company: Newhall Land & Farming Co.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 220

‘96 net income ($ millions): 42

‘95 return on avg. equity: 35

‘96 return on avg. equity: 25

2-year avg. return on equity: 30

*

‘96 rank: 63

‘95 rank: --

Company: Inference Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 36

‘96 net income ($ millions): 2

‘95 return on avg. equity: 8

‘96 return on avg. equity: 52

2-year avg. return on equity: 30

*

‘96 rank: 64

‘95 rank: 50

Company: Siliconix Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 269

‘96 net income ($ millions): 26

‘95 return on avg. equity: 24

‘96 return on avg. equity: 35

2-year avg. return on equity: 30

*

‘96 rank: 65

‘95 rank: 32

Company: Novellus Systems Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 448

‘96 net income ($ millions): 84

‘95 return on avg. equity: 25

‘96 return on avg. equity: 34

2-year avg. return on equity: 29

*

‘96 rank: 66

‘95 rank: --

Company: IKOS Systems Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 54

‘96 net income ($ millions): 3

‘95 return on avg. equity: 11

‘96 return on avg. equity: 48

2-year avg. return on equity: 29

*

‘96 rank: 67

‘95 rank: 54

Company: Mattel Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 3,786

‘96 net income ($ millions): 378

‘95 return on avg. equity: 28

‘96 return on avg. equity: 30

2-year avg. return on equity: 29

*

‘96 rank: 68

‘95 rank: --

Company: Photon Dynamics Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 25

‘96 net income ($ millions): 0

‘95 return on avg. equity: 2

‘96 return on avg. equity: 56

2-year avg. return on equity: 29

*

‘96 rank: 69

‘95 rank: --

Company: Foundation Health Systems

‘96 sales ($ millions): 3,204

‘96 net income ($ millions): 74

‘95 return on avg. equity: 22

‘96 return on avg. equity: 35

2-year avg. return on equity: 29

*

‘96 rank: 70

‘95 rank: 24

Company: Applied Materials Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 3,940

‘96 net income ($ millions): 458

‘95 return on avg. equity: 21

‘96 return on avg. equity: 37

2-year avg. return on equity: 29

*

‘96 rank: 71

‘95 rank: --

Company: AirSensors Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 60

‘96 net income ($ millions): 5

‘95 return on avg. equity: 33

‘96 return on avg. equity: 24

2-year avg. return on equity: 29

*

‘96 rank: 72

‘95 rank: --

Company: ESS Technology Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 267

‘96 net income ($ millions): 59

‘95 return on avg. equity: 49

‘96 return on avg. equity: 9

2-year avg. return on equity: 29

*

‘96 rank: 73

‘95 rank: --

Company: Xicor Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 124

‘96 net income ($ millions): 14

‘95 return on avg. equity: 29

‘96 return on avg. equity: 28

2-year avg. return on equity: 28

*

‘96 rank: 74

‘95 rank: 80

Company: Atmel Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 1,083

‘96 net income ($ millions): 196

‘95 return on avg. equity: 29

‘96 return on avg. equity: 27

2-year avg. return on equity: 28

*

‘96 rank: 75

‘95 rank: 29

Company: Herbalife International Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 632

‘96 net income ($ millions): 45

‘95 return on avg. equity: 37

‘96 return on avg. equity: 18

2-year avg. return on equity: 28

*

‘96 rank: 76

‘95 rank: 57

Company: Maxicare Health Plans Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 563

‘96 net income ($ millions): 19

‘95 return on avg. equity: 19

‘96 return on avg. equity: 36

2-year avg. return on equity: 27

*

‘96 rank: 77

‘95 rank: --

Company: Craig Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 28

‘96 net income ($ millions): 42

‘95 return on avg. equity: 49

‘96 return on avg. equity: 6

2-year avg. return on equity: 27

*

‘96 rank: 78

‘95 rank: --

Company: 99 Cents Only Stores

‘96 sales ($ millions): 184

‘96 net income ($ millions): 14

‘95 return on avg. equity: 27

‘96 return on avg. equity: 27

2-year avg. return on equity: 27

*

‘96 rank: 79

‘95 rank: 93

Company: Sun Microsystems Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 8,073

‘96 net income ($ millions): 648

‘95 return on avg. equity: 30

‘96 return on avg. equity: 25

2-year avg. return on equity: 27

*

‘96 rank: 80

‘95 rank: --

Company: Align-Rite International

‘96 sales ($ millions): 38

‘96 net income ($ millions): 5

‘95 return on avg. equity: 20

‘96 return on avg. equity: 34

2-year avg. return on equity: 27

*

‘96 rank: 81

‘95 rank: 103

Company: Dionex Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 140

‘96 net income ($ millions): 26

‘95 return on avg. equity: 31

‘96 return on avg. equity: 23

2-year avg. return on equity: 27

*

‘96 rank: 82

‘95 rank: 6

Company: Mylex Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 173

‘96 net income ($ millions): 17

‘95 return on avg. equity: 20

‘96 return on avg. equity: 34

2-year avg. return on equity: 27

*

‘96 rank: 83

‘95 rank: --

Company: Safeskin Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 146

‘96 net income ($ millions): 24

‘95 return on avg. equity: 29

‘96 return on avg. equity: 24

2-year avg. return on equity: 26

*

‘96 rank: 84

‘95 rank: --

Company: Diodes Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 56

‘96 net income ($ millions): 3

‘95 return on avg. equity: 17

‘96 return on avg. equity: 36

2-year avg. return on equity: 26

*

‘96 rank: 85

‘95 rank: 59

Company: Aspect Telecommunications

‘96 sales ($ millions): 334

‘96 net income ($ millions): 41

‘95 return on avg. equity: 26

‘96 return on avg. equity: 26

2-year avg. return on equity: 26

*

‘96 rank: 86

‘95 rank: 86

Company: ThermoTrex Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 202

‘96 net income ($ millions): 32

‘95 return on avg. equity: 17

‘96 return on avg. equity: 35

2-year avg. return on equity: 26

*

‘96 rank: 87

‘95 rank: --

Company: Staar Surgical

‘96 sales ($ millions): 42

‘96 net income ($ millions): 7

‘95 return on avg. equity: 22

‘96 return on avg. equity: 30

2-year avg. return on equity: 26

*

‘96 rank: 88

‘95 rank: --

Company: Jenny Craig Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 385

‘96 net income ($ millions): 19

‘95 return on avg. equity: 33

‘96 return on avg. equity: 19

2-year avg. return on equity: 26

*

‘96 rank: 89

‘95 rank: 65

Company: Gap Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 5,284

‘96 net income ($ millions): 453

‘95 return on avg. equity: 27

‘96 return on avg. equity: 24

2-year avg. return on equity: 26

*

‘96 rank: 90

‘95 rank: 21

Company: Ascend Communications Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 661

‘96 net income ($ millions): 127

‘95 return on avg. equity: 30

‘96 return on avg. equity: 22

2-year avg. return on equity: 26

*

‘96 rank: 91

‘95 rank: --

Company: Daily Journal Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 36

‘96 net income ($ millions): 3

‘95 return on avg. equity: 26

‘96 return on avg. equity: 25

2-year avg. return on equity: 26

*

‘96 rank: 92

‘95 rank: --

Company: On Assignment Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 88

‘96 net income ($ millions): 6

‘95 return on avg. equity: 25

‘96 return on avg. equity: 26

2-year avg. return on equity: 25

*

‘96 rank: 93

‘95 rank: 48

Company: Franklin Resources Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 1,620

‘96 net income ($ millions): 337

‘95 return on avg. equity: 25

‘96 return on avg. equity: 26

2-year avg. return on equity: 25

*

‘96 rank: 94

‘95 rank: 71

Company: Aames Financial Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 233

‘96 net income ($ millions): 32

‘95 return on avg. equity: 23

‘96 return on avg. equity: 28

2-year avg. return on equity: 25

*

‘96 rank: 95

‘95 rank: --

Company: Barra Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 92

‘96 net income ($ millions): 11

‘95 return on avg. equity: 31

‘96 return on avg. equity: 20

2-year avg. return on equity: 25

*

‘96 rank: 96

‘95 rank: --

Company: Ducommun Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 118

‘96 net income ($ millions): 10

‘95 return on avg. equity: 23

‘96 return on avg. equity: 27

2-year avg. return on equity: 25

*

‘96 rank: 97

‘95 rank: 64

Company: Viking Office Products Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 1,182

‘96 net income ($ millions): 67

‘95 return on avg. equity: 24

‘96 return on avg. equity: 25

2-year avg. return on equity: 25

*

‘96 rank: 98

‘95 rank: --

Company: Nanometrics Inc.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 30

‘96 net income ($ millions): 4

‘95 return on avg. equity: 21

‘96 return on avg. equity: 29

2-year avg. return on equity: 25

*

‘96 rank: 99

‘95 rank: --

Company: Fair, Isaac & Co.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 158

‘96 net income ($ millions): 17

‘95 return on avg. equity: 24

‘96 return on avg. equity: 25

2-year avg. return on equity: 25

*

‘96 rank: 100

‘95 rank: 55

Company: Informix Corp.

‘96 sales ($ millions): 939

‘96 net income ($ millions): 98

‘95 return on avg. equity: 20

‘96 return on avg. equity: 29

2-year avg. return on equity: 24

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

The Return on Equity

Return on equity is a measure of profitability that’s determined by dividing annual net profit by total shareholder equity. This list looks across two years and then takes an average percentage return. Each year’s return is shown in the chart.

This can be a valuable gauge of how well a company is investing its capital. Sales and income figures provide a sense of the size of the company’s operations.

Because ROE figures tend to be distorted for companies with small amounts of shareholder equity, we’ve limited this listing to companies with $25 million or more in shareholder equity.