And the winner is … NewLink Genetics Corp.

The Ames-based company, which you can read more about on page 16, was far and away the biggest gainer of the 21 Iowa-based public companies included in our annual review.

NewLink’s stock price rose $22.27 to $43.65, a 104.16 percent increase, during 2014. The next biggest increase? Heartland Express Inc. at 37.6 percent.

But NewLink was far from the only gainer in what was again a very positive year for Iowa-based public companies.

Take a quick glance at the chart on the opening page, and you’ll see a lot of green. And for those who invested in some of those companies, check your pockets. Perhaps you made a bit of green too.

Sixteen of the 21 companies in our index increased in value, while only four suffered a loss in share value. Because Workiva Inc., Iowa’s 21st public company, went public on Dec. 12, 2014, we didn’t calculate a change in stock value.

Overall, our Iowa Index – an unweighted average price of all 21 companies – increased $3.97, or 12.96 percent. Growth slowed somewhat compared with 2013, during which the Iowa Index increased 30.96 percent.

We also track 13 other companies that have major operations in the state and appear in our daily e-newsletter stock listing. The unweighted average price for those companies increased by $3.64, or 10.64 percent. That was also down from 2013, during which the Iowa-affiliated companies index rose 31.54 percent.

Still, even as growth has slowed, the Iowa Index is up 102.9 percent since the beginning of 2009.

NewLink Genetics

West Bancorporation Inc.

Casey’s General Stores Inc.