43. United Parcel Service
The world's largest package delivery company is a bellwether for the global economy. Unfortunately the recession meant UPS suffered double-digit revenue and profit declines last year. Not only were fewer packages sent, they were shipped on cheaper services, rather than UPS Next Day Air. "Brown" responded with layoffs, but also upgraded its largest air hub in Louisville, Ky., to sort 416,000 packages an hour. When DHL abandoned the U.S. market last year, UPS scored a big win. When global trade picks back up, the company's infrastructure investments will likely score another. --J.S. |
| Key financials |
$ millions |
% change
from 2008 |
| Revenues |
45,297.0 |
-12.0 |
| Profits |
2,152.0 |
-28.3 |
| Assets |
31,883.0 |
— |
| Stockholders' equity |
7,630.0 |
— |
| Market value (3/26/2010) |
63,214.9 |
— |
| Profits as % of |
|
| Revenues |
4.8 |
| Assets |
6.7 |
| Stockholders' equity |
28.2 |
| Earnings per share |
|
| 2009 $ |
2.14 |
| % change from 2008 |
-27.2 |
| 1999-2009 annual growth rate % |
10.8 |
| Total return to investors |
% |
| 2009 |
7.8 |
| 1999-2009 annual rate |
0.1 |
|
Interactives
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See how revenues and profits at America's 25 largest companies have risen and fallen over the past decade.
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From a single store in 1962 to more than 4,300 outlets today, see how the biggest retailer has expanded.
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