Merck Tops Most Admired List: For the...

Merck Tops Most Admired List: For the fifth year running, drug giant Merck & Co. led Fortune magazine’s list of most admired corporations as experts emphasized old-fashioned corporate basics: research and development. Rubbermaid Inc. bounced back to the No. 2 slot after a one-year hiatus in third place. Procter & Gamble Co. edged up a notch to No. 3. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. held the No. 4 spot. Pepsico beat out Coca-Cola Co. for the fourth year in a row, placing No. 5, with Coke close behind at No. 6. The list was based on a survey of more than 8,000 senior executives, outside directors and financial analysts.