FAQ and methodology
Included in the survey are U.S. incorporated companies filing financial statements with a government agency. This includes private companies...
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Top industries: Most profitable
| 1 | Household and Personal Products | 56.0 | | 2 | Petroleum Refining | 26.3 | | 3 | Hotels, Casinos, Resorts | 26.1 | | 4 | Oil and Gas Equipment, Services | 24.9 | | 5 | Food Services | 23.9 | | 6 | Metals | 23.0 | | 7 | Food Consumer Products | 22.0 | | 8 | Network and Other Communications Equipment | 21.8 | | 9 | Aerospace and Defense | 20.6 | | 10 | Medical Products and Equipment | 20.4 | | 11 | Electronics, Electrical Equipment | 20.4 | | 12 | Pharmaceuticals | 20.3 | | 13 | Industrial and Farm Equipment | 20.0 | | 14 | Wholesalers: Diversified | 19.4 | | 15 | Packaging, Containers | 19.2 | | 16 | Airlines | 19.0 | | 17 | Health Care: Insurance and Managed Care | 19.0 | | 18 | Computers, Office Equipment | 18.9 | | 19 | Chemicals | 18.8 | | 20 | General Merchandisers | 18.2 | | 21 | Specialty Retailers | 17.4 | | 22 | Scientific, Photographic, and Control Equipment | 17.4 | | 23 | Beverages | 16.4 | | 24 | Mining, Crude-Oil Production | 16.4 | | 25 | Railroads | 15.2 | | 26 | Engineering, Construction | 15.0 | | 27 | Financial Data Services | 14.8 | | 28 | Wholesalers: Health Care | 14.6 | | 29 | Securities | 14.5 | | 30 | Real Estate | 13.9 | | 31 | Insurance: Property and Casualty (stock) | 13.5 | | 32 | Motor Vehicles and Parts | 13.2 | | 33 | Energy | 13.1 | | 34 | Food and Drug Stores | 12.5 | | 35 | Health Care: Pharmacy and Other Services | 11.7 | | 36 | Home Equipment, Furnishings | 11.5 | | 37 | Utilities: Gas and Electric | 11.1 | | 38 | Insurance: Life, Health (stock) | 11.0 | | 39 | Commercial Banks | 10.7 | | 40 | Pipelines | 10.7 | | 41 | Entertainment | 10.5 | | 42 | Wholesalers: Electronics and Office Equipment | 10.4 | | 43 | Telecommunications | 10.1 | | 44 | Information Technology Services | 9.8 | | 45 | Automotive Retailing, Services | 9.0 | | 46 | Internet Services and Retailing | 8.9 | | 47 | Health Care: Medical Facilities | 6.5 | | 48 | Food Production | 5.7 | | 49 | Semiconductors and Other Electronic Components | 3.0 | | 50 | Diversified Financials | -1.2 | | 51 | Homebuilders | -30.1 |
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From the May 5, 2008 issue
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A look inside the retail giant, the No. 1 company on the Fortune 500 list - from salaries to its biggest-selling product. Watch
Boeing, No. 27 on the Fortune 500, relies on thousands of workers around the globe to manufacture each unique 787. Watch
A major footwear supplier to the Games, and no. 153 on this year's list, says it's not their job to address concerns over human rights in China. Watch
VF, no. 335 on this year's list, boosts growth by buying successful cult brands, like shoemaker Vans, and giving them freedom to flourish. Watch
