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Mainland China continues to secure its place as a global economic force, claming 44 spots in the Forbes Global 2000, our annual tabulation of the world's largest public companies. In 2006, China had 28 companies on our list. Such explosive growth is not without its risks. In late February, the Chinese market slipped 10%, pushing down exchanges worldwide, but Chinese stocks quickly rebounded and drove the market to new highs. Out of the 10 best-performing stocks in the Forbes Global 2000 over the past year, six hail from China.

For the year ended Feb. 28, 2007, the Global 2000 shows an average price gain of 17%, compared with an increase of 10% for the Standard & Poor's 500. The six winners from China have an average gain of 241%; all 28 Chinese stocks from last year are up an average of 38%.

Chinese investment trust Citic Securities, up 481%, leads the list of Global 2000 stock market stars. Based on our Global 2000 composite ranking for sales, profits, assets and market value, Citic, a newcomer to the list, ranks 1740 in its Global 2000 debut. Security analysts expect the $14.3 billion (market value) investment company to increase profits by 75% in 2007. Despite the expected growth, shares of Citic look pricey, currently trading for 33 times estimated 2007 profits of $0.21 per share.

Over the past year, shares of Shanghai Automotive (No. 1841) and Wuhan Iron & Steel (No. 1062) are up 270% and 196%, respectively. Shanghai Automotive has yet to report 2006 results, but security analysts reporting to Thomson IBES are looking for a 33% increase in profits in 2007 for the Chinese automaker, and for annual earnings growth at a 25% clip over the next three to five years. Analysts are less optimistic about the earnings prospects of Wuhan Steel, where they expect to see a 25% dip in profits this year.

Among other winners, Spain's Grupo Inmocaral (No. 1346) and Singapore's Golden-Agri Resources (No. 1868) finished second and third in terms of 52-week price change, up 312% and 280%, respectively. Golden-Agri Resources, which cultivates, refines and distributes palm oil used for cooking, recently reported 2006 sales of $1.2 billion, a 42% year-over-year increase. Golden’s net profits jumped to $485 million, over six times 2005 net earnings.

The biggest Global 2000 losers? Scottish Re Group (nyse: SCT - news - people ) (No. 1956), headquartered in Bermuda, saw its shares drop 85% in 2006. After six consecutive years of annual revenue growth in excess of 50%, reinsurance provider Scottish Re's revenue slipped 5%, to $1.9 billion, and the company had to address liquidity concerns after posting a net loss of $367 million in 2006. In March, shareholders approved a $600 million equity investment by MassMutual Capital Partners and private equity firm Cerberus Capital, which, when finalized, will give the two companies a controlling equity stake. Other losers include Doral Financial (nyse: DRL - news - people ) (No. 1942) and Saudi Electricity (No. 706), which lost 81% and 70%, respectively.

Global 2000 Stock Market Winners

All figures in U.S. dollars, as of Feb. 28.

Sources: FT Interactive Data, Reuters Fundamentals and Worldscope via FactSet Research Systems; Bloomberg Financial Markets; Forbes.

Global 2000 Stock Market Losers

All figures in U.S. dollars, as of Feb. 28.

Sources: FT Interactive Data, Reuters Fundamentals and Worldscope via FactSet Research Systems; Bloomberg Financial Markets; Forbes.

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