UK: BRITAIN'S MOST ADMIRED COMPANIES - THE LARGEST GAINS AND THE LARGEST LOSSES.

Aegis's honour as the table's highest climber owes more to earlier woes - a near collapse in 1992 - than current virtue. The same is true of Asda, which, previously laid low by massive debt, has now recovered under Archie Norman's administration. More laudable, perhaps, is the achievement of Croda, which makes its debut in the table's upper ranks on the back of record profits. Queens Moats' travails are well-documented. Less spectacular is the fall of Blenheim. Dismal results, profits warnings and internal feuds have all served to remove its former shine.

THE LARGEST GAINS