Every year, Forbes Magazine releases its list of best small companies in the US, ranking them according to performance. For the purposes of this list, only companies that generate sales lower than $1 billion are taken into account. All companies evaluated are publicly traded for more than one year and have an annual revenue of over $5 million, with shares over $5. Their rank takes into account an algorithm that includes earnings, sales growth, as well as return on equity for a period of 12 months.
Forbes’ list evaluated a total of 100 small companies, which managed to perform well for the past five years, proving that even small ventures can overcome adversity, mainly represented by the financial crisis and the sluggish economy.
Based on the latest such list released by Forbes, we would like to present you with a countdown we have compiled of the top 20 best small companies in the US. Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:QCOR) emerged as the leading company. Most of the $621million generated in sales throughout 2013 can be accounted for by the company’s most popular drug – Acthar – used to treat almost 20 illnesses, ranging from infantile spasm and multiple sclerosis to a wide range of rheumatic disorders. The pharmaceutical industry has been thriving over the past years, with 10 other companies from this industry making it on Forbes’ top 100.
The 35th edition of the Best small companies in the US also includes several newcomers, the highest ranked being Proto Labs Inc (NYSE:PRLB), which secured the third spot in the countdown. The technology manufacturer saw a 30% increase in sales throughout 2013.
Curious to see which other companies have made the cut? Let’s take a look at the countdown.
No. 20: Syntel, Inc. (NASDAQ:SYNT)
Sales (2013): $766 million
Sales growth: 17%
Return on equity: 34%
No. 19: Synaptics, Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA)
Sales (2013): $664 million
Sales growth: 11%
Return on equity: 22%
No. 18: Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ:PRAA)
Sales (2013): $657 million
Sales growth: 22%
Return on equity: 18%
No. 17: Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL)
Sales (2013): $902 million
Sales growth: 14%
Return on equity: 18%
No. 16: Medifast, Inc. (NYSE:MED)
Sales (2013): $367 million
Sales growth: 36%
Return on equity: 34%
No. 15: SolarWinds Inc (NYSE:SWI)
Sales (2013): $296 million
Sales growth: 33%
Return on equity: 47%
No. 14: Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLFD)
Sales (2013): $45 million
Sales growth: 15%
Return on equity: 18%
No. 13: Boston Beer Co Inc (NYSE:SAM)
Sales (2013): $637 million
Sales growth: 11%
Return on equity: 24%
No. 12: American Public Education
Sales (2013): $328 million
Sales growth: 35%
Return on equity: 34%
No. 11: NIC Inc. (NASDAQ:EGOV)
Sales (2013): $238 million
Sales growth: 20%
Return on equity: 29%
No. 10: Annies Inc (NYSE:BNNY)
Sales (2013): $175 million
Sales growth: 17%
Return on equity: 46%
No. 9: FleetCor Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:FLT)
Sales (2013): $804 million
Sales growth: 20%
Return on equity: 22%
No. 8: U.S. Silica Holdings Inc (NYSE:SLCA)
Sales (2013): $487 million
Sales growth: 14%
Return on equity: 19%
No. 7: Cirrus Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS)
Sales (2013): $866 million
Sales growth: 36%
Return on equity: 26%
No. 6: EPAM Systems Inc (NYSE:EPAM)
Sales (2013): $493 million
Sales growth: 30%
Return on equity: 25%
No. 5: Sturm, Ruger & Company (NYSE:RGR)
Sales (2013): $595 million
Sales growth: 24%
Return on equity: 33%
No. 4: InvenSense Inc (NYSE:INVN)
Sales (2013): $225 million
Sales growth: 86%
Return on equity: 26%
No. 3: Proto Labs Inc (NYSE:PRLB)
Sales (2013): $143 million
Sales growth: 30%
Return on equity: 42%
No. 2: Grand Canyon Education Inc (NASDAQ:LOPE)
Sales (2013): $558 million
Sales growth: 39%
Return on equity: 32%
No. 1: Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:QCOR)
Sales (2013): $621 million
Sales growth: 51%
Return on equity: 56%
