Exelon
No. 7
Industry: Utilities
Sales: $18.9 billion
Net Income: $2.7 billion
The Chicago utility's earnings per share dipped only slightly in 2008. Exelon "was not severely damaged" by the market tumult, says CEO John Rowe. Earnings held because of rate hikes at its Philadelphia and Chicago utilities and high output at its 17 nuclear plants. Rowe sees flat earnings for 2009 but is confident about long-term growth, especially if Washington puts a price on carbon emissions. Exelon (EXC) would get a boost from its emission-free nuclear plants and its aggressive emission-cutting program. Uncertainty remains about pension costs and its bid to acquire Prince ton (N.J.)'s NRG Energy (NRG).
