Two of the mostly eagerly awaited financial reports this year were those of Nissan Motor Co. and Snow Brand Milk Products Co.
Prior to last month's release of fiscal 2000 financial statements, speculation was rife about whether Nissan would recover from its business slump under Carlos Ghosn, the automaker's president and CEO. Many also wondered about the size of Snow Brand's drop in profits following a massive outbreak of food-poisoning last summer caused by products made at its Osaka plant.
"Nissan is back." said Ghosn at a news conference last month in Tokyo. "The Nissan Revival Plan has produced the best financial performance in the company's history as far as we can reliably trace it. Never in a decade has Nissan's operating performance, financial situation and prospects for profitable growth been as good."