Only 22 of the 500 stocks in the S&P500 finished 2008 in positive territory. Not surprisingly, we see Wal-Mart, the Dollar stores, and McDonald's on the list, plus several biotech/pharma companies. UST, which sells smokeless tobacco and wine (what a great flavor combination), also posted a gain due to its impending buyout by Altria. A few chemical companies are on the list, probably benefiting from lower oil prices. H&R block made the cut (chalk that one up to death and taxes). And of course Autozone - when the economy slows, people do more car maintenance themselves.
The oddball on this list is Pulte - the news for homebuilders only became more negative during the course of the year. However, it had already been beaten up so badly by the end of 2007 (losing 70% of its value that year) that it was able to stay mostly flat in 2008.
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