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1. Wal-Mart Stores
Wal-Mart Stores
Rank: 1 (Previous rank: 2)
CEO: Michael T. Duke
Compare tool: Wal-Mart vs. Top 10
The mega-retailer knocked Exxon Mobil out of the top slot to rule the Fortune 500 again this year. Wal-Mart managed to lift revenues, on top of a big increase in 2008, by attracting bargain-hungry customers from competitors with remodeled stores and inexpensive private-label goods, offering everything from frozen pizza to patio furniture in one stop. A single trip also meant less spending on gas. Result: Profits surged a whopping 7% to $14.3 billion.
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Key financials $ millions % change
from 2008
Revenues 408,214.0 0.6
Profits 14,335.0 7.0
Assets 170,706.0
Stockholders' equity 70,749.0
Market value (3/26/2010) 208,662.5
Profits as % of  
Revenues 3.5
Assets 8.4
Stockholders' equity 20.3
Earnings per share  
2009 $ 3.70
% change from 2008 9.1
1999-2009 annual growth rate % 11.9
Total return to investors %
2009 -2.7
1999-2009 annual rate -1.5
Rank Company 500
rank
Revenues
($ millions)
1 Wal-Mart Stores 1 408,214.0
2 Target 30 65,357.0
3 Sears Holdings 48 44,043.0
4 Macy's 103 23,489.0
5 J.C. Penney 133 17,556.0
6 Kohl's 135 17,178.0
7 Dollar General 195 11,796.4
8 Nordstrom 270 8,627.0
9 Family Dollar Stores 305 7,400.6
10 Dillard's 348 6,226.6
Issue date: May 3, 2010.
Figures are for fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2010.
Galleries and videos
  • 20 most profitable
    Fortune 500 earnings soared, despite a seemingly feeble recovery. Here are the biggest winners.
  • Wal-Mart: Creating a 'green' label
    The retail giant, No. 1 on the list, says calculating the environmental impact of its products is good for business.
Interactives
  • A changing landscape
    See how revenues and profits at America's 25 largest companies have risen and fallen over the past decade.
  • Watch Wal-Mart grow
    From a single store in 1962 to more than 4,300 outlets today, see how the biggest retailer has expanded.
Headquarters
MAPS
Wal-Mart Stores
702 S.W. Eighth St.
Bentonville, AR 72716
479-273-4000
www.walmartstores.com
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Rank # of Fortune 500 Companies
California 57
Texas 57
New York 56
Company 2009 $ (millions)
Exxon Mobil $19,280.0
Microsoft $14,569.0
Wal-Mart Stores $14,335.0
FAQ and methodology
Included in the survey are U.S. incorporated companies filing financial statements with a government agency. This includes private companies... More
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