But when it comes to investing, another segment should get a look: the small guys. They make up the bulk of the public companies based in the Carolinas and last year logged, on average, the best returns. Force Protection, which employs 925 and has headquarters near Charleston, S.C., was the fastest-growing company, as measured by revenue change. It also had the best stock performance in 2006, with a 2,132 percent return.

By comparison, Bank of America, the biggest company as measured by revenue and market value, had a 15.69 percent stock return.

As with all investing, do your homework and know your tolerance for risk. The stocks of smaller companies often are more volatile.

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