Wal-Mart is holding up well in a tough business environment. They are increasing market share and they’re buying back their own shares at prices that may look a steal in 18 months time.

At the same time as they are putting investment into their growing international operations, they’re also shoring-up and strengthening their domestic base. The results are now showing up on the bottom line figures for investors.

But always bear in mind - like McDonalds as was, Wal-Mart still faces media pressure from civil activists, which isn’t going to do much for its reputation and therefore, indirectly, its ability to expand.

Exxon isn’t totally dumb - it didn’t get to be the biggest company in the world for nothing… with big chemicals and plastics interests, althought it’s not going to be playing too large in the biofuel business, the hyrid market may well come strongly to its aid.

Unless crude oil prices really start to swing down and stay down (much less likely) ie below fifty dollar a barrel mark Exxon hasn’t got too much to panic about - profits will be down, but there’s still a lot of money in there.

In spite of this, Pepsico is still firmly reliant on its core America/Canada operations. In overall terms, the company has a much lower global reach when compared to its chief rival - you know who… (if you’re old enough to remember that ad)

Additionally, the aggregation of food retailers has diminished Pepsico’s chances of keeping the prices somewhere near where it wants them - this, and rising material costs - hitting everything - keeps the pressure on the company.