Fortune has released the 61st Fortune 500 (http://fortune.com/fortune500/), its annual list of the largest corporations in the United States ranked by revenue for the 2014 fiscal year. Apple ranks number five on the list.
The Fortune 500 companies earned a combined total revenue of US$12.5 trillion in 2014, up 2.6% from last year and an all-time high. The total market value for the Fortune 500 hit $17.4 trillion (as of March 31, 2015), setting an all-time record for worth and marking an increase of 7.7% over the previous year. This year’s Fortune 500 companies also employ more people than ever, with 26.8 million total employees. Profits decreased 12.6% over the previous year, falling below the trillion dollar mark at a combined total of $945 billion.
Walmart takes the top spot for the third year in a row and the eleventh time ever. Only three companies have held the no. 1 spot on the Fortune 500 since its creation in 1955: General Motors, Exxon Mobil and Walmart. No. 5 Apple boasts both the biggest profits of any company on the list ($39.5 billion) and the highest market value (more than $700 billion). The top 10 list includes: Wal-Mart Stores. Exxon Mobil e, Chevron, Berkshire Hathaway , Apple , General Motors, Phillips, General Electric , Ford Motor , and CVS Health .
Companies are ranked by total revenues for their respective fiscal years. Included in the survey are companies that are incorporated in the U.S. and operate in the U.S. and file financial statements with a government agency.
