Money world

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. led Arizona stocks in 2009 riding a wave of increasing metals prices for a gain of more than 200 percent.

Three other companies posted triple digit gains in 2009, according to the Phoenix Business Journal’s analysis that runs from Dec. 31, 2008, to Dec. 18, 2009. Six of the 21 billion-dollar companies posted a decline during the year, which saw stock indexes begin to climb out of their recession low in March.

As for 2010, analysts predict all of the top five and bottom five companies will see an improved bottom line, however, equipment rental firm RSC Holdings and US Airways Group are expected to remain in the red. No estimates were available for Mesa Air Group, which has struggled with the recession as well as a contract dispute with Delta Airlines.

Over the same period, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose nearly 18 percent from 8,776 to 10,329. The Nasdaq Composite gained 40 percent closing at 2,122 Dec. 18.

Click here to see how Arizona’s billion-dollar companies performed for the fourth quarter of 2009. Click here to see performance since December of 2007, when the recession took hold, which significantly changes the fortunes for Freeport and some of the other top companies.

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