Since 1999, its has pursued an aggressive policy of acquisition, more than quintupling its premium income.

ECONOMIST: Italian politics

That doesn't sound like much, but it's enough to offset the cost of a quintupling of wirelessnetwork usage, according to Thomas Lee, wireless analyst at Salomon Smith Barney.

FORBES: Cut the cord

We gave special honors to Philweb of the Philippines (top profitability, based on operating income as a share of sales), to Royal Ceramics Lanka of Sri Lanka (return on investment, a near quintupling) and to E-House (China), the real-estate brokerage, for overall best composite score.

FORBES: Hong Kong's Tears for the USA