And, most important, the top 10 innovators turned in better financial performances than the top 10 spenders.

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Mr Pinault added that he was confident of "significantly improving our operating and financial performances in 2013".

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All three have turned in financial performances that have pleased Wall Street, even if profitability still lags robust revenue growth.

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Most value investors analyze companies based on their current financial performances, as measured by the stock price as a multiple of earnings or book value.

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By all accounts, Harley-Davidson reported one of its best financial performances in quite some time on Tuesday morning, and in response shares rose more than 8% in heavy trading.

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Others large firms, financial powerhouses whose performances were mediocre at best, were repeatedly recommended by consultants.

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Manchester United's American owners, the Glaziers, listed the soccer club on the New York Stock Exchange in August and its growing commercial success is highly dependent on performances on the pitch, according to Joshua Raymond, a market strategist at London-based financial services firm, CityIndex.

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