"Not only does Tencent have a cash cow in its strong gaming business, but the company is also best-positioned in high-potential markets like social media and mobile Internet services, " said Jefferies analyst Cynthia Meng, who has a buy rating on Tencent's stock.

WSJ: China's Tencent Outperforms Its Western Peers

Meanwhile, the company's traditional, lower-end cellphone business, a steady cash cow in high-growth emerging markets, is under growing threat from less-expensive Asian handsets.

WSJ: Nokia Considers Adopting Microsoft Phone Platforms

That is thanks mainly to the cement business, which is a sturdy cash cow.

ECONOMIST: Votorantim

Figures like Thomas Friedman, Paul Krugman, and Andrew Ross Sorkin (the editor of the DealBook business blog, which has been a cash cow for The Times) would be worth a great deal on the open market.

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