Top 3

Rank # of Global 500 Companies
U.S.	153
Japan	64
France	39

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Company	2007 Number of Employees
U.S. Postal Service	785,929
Sinopec	634,011
Hon Hai Precision Industry	550,000

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Company	2007 Profits ($ millions)
Exxon Mobil	$40,610
Royal Dutch Shell	$31,331
General Electric	$22,208

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FAQ and methodology

All companies on the list must publish financial data and report part or all of their figures to a government agency. In the U.S., private companies and cooperatives... More

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Global 500

Our annual ranking of the world's largest corporations

All
companies

All
industries

Top industries: Most profitable

Industry rank	Industry	2007 %
1	Pharmaceuticals	10.9
2	Food Consumer Products	9.8
3	Mining, Crude-oil production	9.6
4	Household and Personal Products	8.7
5	Network and Other Communications Equipment	8.5
6	Petroleum Refining	7.4
7	Specialty Retailers	7.3
8	Shipping	6.9
9	Computers, Office Equipment	6.7
10	Health Care: Insurance and Managed Care	6.4
11	Industrial and Farm Equipment	6.3
12	Building Materials, Glass	6.3
13	Aerospace and Defense	6.1
14	Metals	5.9
15	Chemicals	5.9
16	Beverages	5.6
17	Telecommunications	5.4
18	General Merchandisers	4.8
19	Entertainment	4.4
20	Food and Drug Stores	4.2
21	Energy	4.2
22	Electronics, Electrical Equipment	3.9
23	Wholesalers: Health Care	3.8
24	Motor Vehicles and Parts	3.5
25	Trading	3.5
26	Utilities	3.2
27	Engineering, Construction	2.8
28	Airlines	2.2
29	Insurance: Property and Casualty (stock)	1.4
30	Mail, Package and Freight Delivery	1.0
31	Insurance: Life, Health (stock)	0.7
32	Banks: Commercial and Savings	0.7
33	Securities	0.5
34	Food Services	0.0
34	Food Production	0.0
34	Semiconductors and Other Electronic Components	0.0
34	Railroads	0.0
34	Pipelines	0.0
34	Miscellaneous	0.0
34	Insurance: Property and Casualty (mutual)	0.0
34	Insurance: Life, Health (mutual)	0.0
34	Information Technology Services	0.0
34	Computer Software	0.0
34	Wholesalers: Food and Grocery	0.0
34	Wholesalers: Electronics and Office Equipment	0.0
34	Health Care: Pharmacy and Other Services	0.0
34	Tobacco	0.0
34	Automotive Retailing, Services	0.0
34	Temporary Help	0.0
34	Forest and Paper Products	0.0
34	Diversified Financials	-0.2

From the July 21, 2008 issue

Top 50
Headquarters

Show: Top 50 | 25 Most Profitable | Global 500

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High revenue growth	High profit growth
Based in Asia	Based in Europe
Based in U.S.	Top 5 in its industry
Big employer	Small employer

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Global 500

Our annual ranking of the world's largest corporations