As the Dow Industrials was surging to new all-time highs, AA was just barely able to surpass its long-term downtrend, line a, in February.

FORBES: Can Earnings Revive a Weakening Market?

The IOUs were rated AAA but yielded 100 basis points (that is, a full percentage point) more than comparable maturity AA-rated corporates at the time.

FORBES: Yield Booster

The AA says that the industry's "just in time" delivery business model is leaving it exposed to supply shortages in the future.

BBC: 'Big drop' in UK petrol stations as fuel reserves fall

The Cord Free uses a AA battery that is sufficient to give it 25 hours of talk time and three months of standby power.

FORBES: Magazine Article

During my time as chief executive at Alcoa (nyse: AA - news - people ), we demonstrated it is possible to cut costs 30% to 50% in a complex organization through systems improvements and by focusing on safety.

FORBES: Paul H. O'Neill