Would be more interesting/honest if they differentiated between companies that have declined versus just mergers.<p>The AEI is making the point there is more creative destruction than people think - which is fair.<p>But Mobil is counted as if it isn't in the top 500 companies now because it merged. But it wasn't just gobbled up - if it was independent it would clearly be top 500 still. If you were a shareholder in 1955 you'd be pleased.