
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 19, 1990                   TAG: 9004190485
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VA. COMPANIES CALLED FRIENDLY TO STOCKHOLDERS

An organization that promotes the rights of shareowners has given high marks to some of Virginia's largest corporations for being more responsive to their stockholders than the average U.S. company.

United Shareholders Association ranks the nation's largest publicly traded companies on their economic performance, shareholder rights protections and management compensation in its second annual "Shareholder 1,000."

The 18 Virginia-based companies earned an average score of 50.89, above the national average of 47.60. Twelve of the 18 were in the top 500 nationally.

The highest-ranked Virginia company was Richmond-based Circuit City Stores Inc., which was 28th overall with a score of 66.10 out of a possible 100. Circuit City scored high in economic performance but its shareholder-rights score was a below-average 7 out of a possible 25.

Ethyl Corp., also based in Richmond, was second among Virginia companies and 86th nationally with a score of 61.65. Rounding out the top five were Smithfield Foods Inc., 115th with a score of 59.80; Reynolds Metals Co. of Richmond, 161st with 57.30; and Tultex Corp. of Martinsville, 185th with 56.50.

Nationally, the top ranked company was Wal-Mart Stores with a score of 81.25. Other Virginia companies on the list include: Norfolk Southern Corp., 247th, 54.35; Sovran Financial Corp., 315th, 52.35; Crestar Corp., 337th, 51.65; Central Fidelity Banks, 575th, 45.90; First Virginia Banks, 638th, 44.40; and Dominion Bankshares, 724th, 42.35.

by CNB