21.   A ladder covered with diamonds signified a top performer.

22.   According to Morningstar, the top performer over the last five years on a risk-adjusted basis is the Midas fund.

23.   After Merrill, Vanguard and Fidelity Investments ranked as the top performers this year, Morningstar reported.

24.   All the top diversified performers had heavy investments in technology stocks.

25.   But Carhart has found that a greater percentage of those top performers manage to do so.

26.   But in a company where the top performers are treated like hot-house orchids, glass walls may not be welcome.

27.   But it does say, pay special attention to your top performers because they make all the difference.

28.   But top performers are listed in a chart.

29.   Companies hate to lose their top performers, said D. Harold Doty, associate professor of business at Syracuse University in New York.