In many ways, 2004 will be known as a "trial year" among business insiders. Following the convictions of Martha Steward and Andrew Fastow (above), and while awaiting the conviction of crooked executive Kenneth Lay (center), American companies are still engaging in questionable business practices, and shareholder boards remain under fire for poor decision making. (AP Photos)

A frustrating growth of economy

After the boom years of the late 1990s and the steep dropoff that followed, the business climate is warming by degree, in a way that has been slow to reach many. (AP)

GRAPHIC: A slow growth of the economy

Boston Globe 2004 Business Quiz

It was another busy year in the Boston business community and we tracked it all: The good, the bad and the ugly. Were you paying attention?

Business winners and losers in 2004
Some individuals sparkled this year, while others fizzled. Here is a gallery of the winners and losers in the business world for the year.

Caution: Slippery economy
In business and finance, 2004 had a split personality. The economy grew at a solid pace, but jobs didn't. The technology sector finally revived, but soon began to consolidate. Airlines packed flights, but still lost billions. (Boston Globe)

Business newsmakers look back on 2004
This was another year of scandal in the world of big business, with troubles emerging from the insurance industry and plenty of execs coming under fire for their poor decision-making. Let's hear from some of the newsmakers, in their own words. (AP)

Pharmaceutical industry limps into 2005
Analysts believe further industry consolidation is likely because expense reductions resulting from mergers may be the key to increasing earnings at a time when revenues are stagnating. (AP)

Telephone industry will be all about TV in 2005
TV over your home phone line. TV on your cell phone. Few topics have been as popular this past year among phone companies and their technology partners. (AP)

GRAPHIC: Year in technology