Ga. stocks bloodied in 2008

2008 will go down in history as one of the toughest years ever on Wall Street.

Of Georgia???s 50 largest public companies (ranked by revenues), the shares of only seven rose in value during 2008. The other 43 all dropped, some losing most of their value.

The biggest winner was insurance claims management provider Crawford & Co., whose shares (NYSE: CRDA) jumped nearly 87 percent in value during 2008, from $3.61 to $6.74.

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Other winners were rent-to-own giant Aaron Rents Inc., up 41.5 percent for the year; cleaning products maker Zep Inc., up 40 percent; paperboard and carton-maker Rock-Tenn Co., up nearly 40 percent; Haverty Furniture Cos., up more than 12 percent; and Thomasville, Ga.-baker Flowers Foods Inc., up 6 percent.

Children???s clothing-maker Carter???s Inc.???s shares held steady, rising less than 1 percent for 2008.

But for the other 43 of Georgia???s 50 top public companies, 2008???s stock market story is one of declines, some breathtaking.

The biggest loser was consumer products-maker Spectrum Brands Inc., whose shares lost 98 percent of their value.

Other big losers were Austell-based paperboard recycler Caraustar Industries Inc. and chemical-maker Georgia Gulf Corp., each of whose shares lost nearly 84 percent of their value during the year.

Home builder Beazer Homes USA Inc.???s shares lost nearly 78 percent of their value.

Among the state???s largest companies, The Home Depot Inc.???s shares ended 2008 down almost 12 percent; United Parcel Service Inc.???s shares lost 20 percent, and The Coca-Cola Co.???s shares lost nearly 26 percent.

The Dow Jones Industrial Index, overall, fell 34 percent for the year, according to published reports.

Here???s a list of how the shares of Georgia???s 50 largest public companies (ranked by revenues) fared during 2008 as of Wednesday???s closing bell: