Fortune 500 Companies: Origins of the Fortune 500 List (USA)

Fortune 500   Origins of the Fortune 500 List The Fortune 500 , an annual ranking of the largest corporations in the United States , has a r...

Fortune 500

 Origins of the Fortune 500 List

The Fortune 500, an annual ranking of the largest corporations in the United States, has a rich history dating back to 1955 when it was first published by Fortune magazine. The list was originally created as a tool for investors and the business community to identify the leading companies in the American economy. Over the years, it has grown to become a global benchmark for corporate success.

Fortune 500

Since its inception, the Fortune 500 list has undergone several significant transformations. In the early years, the list primarily featured companies from traditional industries such as manufacturing, oil, and finance. However, as the economy evolved, so did the composition of the list. Technological advancements, globalization, and shifts in consumer preferences led to the inclusion of companies from the tech sector, healthcare, and consumer goods.

The methodology for ranking companies has also evolved. Initially, the rankings were based solely on total revenue. Today, the methodology considers various financial metrics, including profits, market capitalization, and shareholder returns, providing a more holistic view of corporate performance.

 The Fortune 500 Ranking Process

The process of ranking companies for the Fortune 500 list is meticulous and data-driven. Fortune magazine, in collaboration with various partners, collects and analyzes financial data from thousands of publicly traded and privately held companies. The primary criteria for inclusion in the list are total revenue and financial stability.

They are ranked based on their total revenue. This revenue encompasses all sources, including domestic and international operations. To be eligible for consideration, a company must be incorporated and operate in the United States and file financial statements with a government agency.

Data Sources and Validation

To ensure accuracy and reliability, Fortune magazine relies on several data sources, including the companies themselves, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other financial data providers. Rigorous validation processes are in place to cross-check and verify the financial data submitted by companies.

It's important to note that the Fortune 500 list focuses on revenue size rather than profitability. This approach highlights the sheer scale and economic influence of these companies.

 Top Companies and Their Industries

Each year, the release of the Fortune 500 list generates immense interest and scrutiny. The top-ranking companies are celebrated for their financial prowess and influence on the business landscape. Names like Apple, Amazon, and Berkshire Hathaway have become synonymous with corporate success.

Industry Categories

The Fortune 500 list is not just a celebration of corporate giants; it also provides valuable insights into the diversity of industries that power the U.S. economy. The list categorizes companies into various sectors, including technology, healthcare, energy, financial services, and consumer goods. This categorization offers a comprehensive view of the industries that contribute significantly to the nation's economic growth.

 The Blueprint of Success

Fortune 500 companies aren't just statistical giants; they are often admired for their ability to consistently perform well in a highly competitive business environment. Here, we delve into the key success factors that have propelled these corporations to the top of the list.

Innovation and Adaptability

Innovation is the lifeblood of success in today's fast-paced world.  Companies invest more in research to stay ahead. They continuously adapt to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements. Case in point: the rapid evolution of tech giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, who have redefined entire industries through innovation.

 Strong Leadership

Effective leadership is a hallmark of Fortune 500 companies. They have visionary CEOs and leadership teams that steer the ship through rough waters and seize opportunities. Leadership qualities like strategic vision, risk-taking, and the ability to motivate a workforce are paramount.

 Market Positioning

Successful companies understand the importance of strategic market positioning. They identify gaps in the market and capitalize on them. Brand recognition, customer loyalty, and a solid market presence are essential components of their success.

Trends in the Fortune 500

The composition of the Fortune 500 is not static; it evolves to reflect the dynamic nature of the business world. Here, we explore some of the notable trends that have shaped the list in recent years.

 Technology's Dominance

The rise of technology companies is one of the most significant trends in recent Fortune 500 lists. Tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Facebook have consistently ranked near the top, showcasing the growing influence of the tech sector on the global economy.

Sustainability and ESG

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria have gained prominence. More Fortune 500 companies are focusing on sustainability, responsible business practices, and corporate social responsibility. This trend reflects a growing awareness of the need to address environmental and social issues.

Globalization

Fortune 500 companies are increasingly expanding their global footprint. International markets present significant growth opportunities, and many of these corporations have diversified their operations internationally to capture these opportunities.

Challenges and Obstacles

Despite their success, Fortune 500 companies face a myriad of challenges. Here, we examine some of the obstacles these corporations encounter.

Intense Competition

Competition is fierce among Fortune 500 companies. Rivals constantly strive to outdo each other, and emerging startups pose disruptive threats. Staying ahead of the competition requires constant vigilance and innovation.

Regulatory Hurdles

Regulatory changes can have a significant impact on these corporations, especially in highly regulated industries like finance and healthcare. Adapting to new regulations and complying with them can be a complex and costly process.

Top 500 Companies

I am providing you a list of some famous Fortune 500 companies of the United States of America. Please note that the rankings and composition of the Fortune 500 may change from year to year. It is worth checking the latest official Fortune 500 list for the latest information. Here are some notable companies from the 2021 list:

1. Walmart Inc.

2. Amazon.com Inc.

3. Apple Inc.

4. Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

5. Exxon Mobil Corporation

6. UnitedHealth Group Inc.

7. McKesson Corporation

8. AmerisourceBergen Corporation

9. AT&T Inc.

10. CVS Health Corporation

11. Ford Motor Company

12. General Motors Company

13. Verizon Communications Inc.

14. Cardinal Health Inc.

15. Costco Wholesale Corporation

16. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

17. JPMorgan Chase & Co.

18. Boeing Co.

19. Home Depot Inc.

20. Citigroup Inc.

21. Verizon Communications Inc.

22. Chevron Corporation

23. Procter & Gamble Co.

24. Ford Motor Company

25. Kroger Co.

26. General Electric Co.

27. Fannie Mae

28. AT&T Inc.

29. AmerisourceBergen Corporation

30. Valero Energy Corporation

31. Comcast Corporation

32. Verizon Communications Inc.

33. IBM (International Business Machines) Corporation

34. Anthem Inc.

35. Citigroup Inc.

36. Caterpillar Inc.

37. PepsiCo Inc.

38. Boeing Co.

39. Johnson & Johnson

40. State Farm Insurance

41. Microsoft Corporation

42. General Dynamics Corporation

43. Pfizer Inc.

44. Dow Inc.

45. Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

46. MetLife Inc.

47. United Parcel Service (UPS)

48. Intel Corporation

49. Target Corporation

50. Morgan Stanley

51. PepsiCo Inc.

52. Johnson & Johnson

53. International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation

54. Lowe's Companies Inc.

55. The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

56. 3M Company

57. Morgan Stanley

58. State Farm Insurance Companies

59. Pfizer Inc.

60. Raytheon Technologies Corporation

61. Johnson Controls International plc

62. Coca-Cola Company

63. FedEx Corporation

64. General Electric Company

65. United Technologies Corporation

66. Prudential Financial Inc.

67. Comcast Corporation

68. AbbVie Inc.

69. Capital One Financial Corporation

70. Sysco Corporation

71. American Express Company

72. Cigna Corporation

73. Caterpillar Inc.

74. Delta Air Lines Inc.

75. The Allstate Corporation

76. Verizon Communications Inc.

77. The Progressive Corporation

78. Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

79. The Home Depot Inc.

80. American Airlines Group Inc.

81. United Continental Holdings, Inc.

82. Dow Inc.

83. Tyson Foods, Inc.

84. Johnson Controls International plc

85. The Boeing Company

86. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company

87. Raytheon Technologies Corporation

88. The Kraft Heinz Company

89. ConocoPhillips

90. AIG (American International Group) Inc.

91. Honeywell International Inc.

92. Duke Energy Corporation

93. TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America)

94. Verizon Communications Inc.

95. Charter Communications, Inc.

96. T-Mobile US, Inc.

97. Exelon Corporation

98. 3M Company

99. Capital One Financial Corporation

100. Travelers Companies, Inc.

101. U.S. Bancorp

102. Occidental Petroleum Corporation

103. Publix Super Markets, Inc.

104. World Fuel Services Corporation

105. eBay Inc.

106. Northrop Grumman Corporation

107. Synchrony Financial

108. Micron Technology, Inc.

109. Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

110. Progressive Corporation

111. Kinder Morgan, Inc.

112. United Rentals, Inc.

113. Humana Inc.

114. General Dynamics Corporation

115. Xerox Holdings Corporation

116. Dollar General Corporation

117. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

118. General Mills, Inc.

119. Whirlpool Corporation

120. Ecolab Inc.

121. Lennar Corporation

122. PG&E Corporation (Pacific Gas and Electric Company)

123. Visa Inc.

124. CBS Corporation

125. Charles Schwab Corporation

126. Sempra Energy

127. Republic Services, Inc.

128. Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

129. AutoNation, Inc.

130. International Paper Company

131. Caterpillar Inc.

132. Aflac Incorporated

133. Norfolk Southern Corporation

134. Dominion Energy, Inc.

135. Capital One Financial Corporation

136. The TJX Companies, Inc. (T.J. Maxx, Marshalls)

137. Edison International

138. Macy's, Inc.

139. Illinois Tool Works Inc.

140. Baker Hughes Company

141. Duke Energy Corporation

142. Delta Air Lines, Inc.

143. PACCAR Inc

144. Waste Management, Inc.

145. ConocoPhillips

146. Foot Locker, Inc.

147. AutoZone, Inc.

148. Discover Financial Services

149. eBay Inc.

150. General Mills, Inc.

151. Halliburton Company

152. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

153. Micron Technology, Inc.

154. Exelon Corporation

155. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

156. Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

157. Entergy Corporation

158. Tyson Foods, Inc.

159. USAA (United Services Automobile Association)

160. Tyson Foods, Inc.

161. Kohl's Corporation

162. PVH Corp. (Phillips-Van Heusen)

163. Duke Energy Corporation

164. Progressive Corporation

165. XPO Logistics, Inc.

166. McCormick & Company, Incorporated

167. Yum! Brands, Inc.

168. Nordstrom, Inc.

169. The AES Corporation

170. AutoNation, Inc.

171. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

172. D.R. Horton, Inc.

173. CMS Energy Corporation

174. Ecolab Inc.

175. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

176. ViacomCBS Inc.

177. Kimco Realty Corporation

178. Alaska Air Group, Inc.

179. The Sherwin-Williams Company

180. Micron Technology, Inc.

181. Ralph Lauren Corporation

182. Ventas, Inc.

183. Western Digital Corporation

184. Consolidated Edison, Inc.

185. National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

186. Omnicom Group Inc.

187. Welltower Inc.

188. Hershey Company

189. Hormel Foods Corporation

190. Foot Locker, Inc.

191. Kimco Realty Corporation

192. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

193. Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

194. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

195. Ingersoll Rand Inc.

196. Xerox Holdings Corporation

197. Kohl's Corporation

198. Dover Corporation

199. Ralph Lauren Corporation

200. eBay Inc.

201. Nordstrom, Inc.

202. Lennox International Inc.

203. MGM Resorts International

204. Alliant Energy Corporation

205. Arista Networks, Inc.

206. F5 Networks, Inc.

207. Marriot International, Inc.

208. O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.

209. Twitter, Inc.

210. Tractor Supply Company

211. Cintas Corporation

212. Garmin Ltd.

213. Synopsys, Inc.

214. Zebra Technologies Corporation

215. Mosaic Company

216. Henry Schein, Inc.

217. Discovery, Inc.

218. Copart, Inc.

219. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

220. Newell Brands Inc.

221. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

222. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)

223. Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

224. The Hershey Company

225. Dollar Tree, Inc.

226. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

227. Ameren Corporation

228. TripAdvisor, Inc.

229. PPL Corporation

230. Everest Re Group, Ltd.

231. Paychex, Inc.

232. Halliburton Company

233. Xilinx, Inc.

234. Rollins, Inc.

235. SCANA Corporation

236. Copart, Inc.

237. Motorola Solutions, Inc.

238. KeyCorp (KeyBank)

239. Apache Corporation

240. Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

241. CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

242. Eversource Energy

243. Foot Locker, Inc.

244. Unum Group

245. Atmos Energy Corporation

246. The E.W. Scripps Company

247. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.

248. Ralph Lauren Corporation

249. Teradyne, Inc.

250. The Wendy's Company

251. HP Inc.

252. Rollins, Inc.

253. News Corp (Fox Corporation)

254. The Hershey Company

255. Teradyne, Inc.

256. The Clorox Company

257. HollyFrontier Corporation

258. The Mosaic Company

259. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

260. The Gap, Inc.

261. Principal Financial Group, Inc.

262. Unum Group

263. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

264. The Williams Companies, Inc.

265. Southwest Airlines Co.

266. Atmos Energy Corporation

267. Ameren Corporation

268. Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

269. PulteGroup, Inc.

270. Universal Health Services, Inc.

271. AmerisourceBergen Corporation

272. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

273. The Sherwin-Williams Company

274. Alliance Data Systems Corporation

275. Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

276. PPL Corporation

277. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.

278. Apartment Investment and Management Company (Aimco)

279. Unum Group

280. Albemarle Corporation

281. Ulta Beauty, Inc.

282. Netflix, Inc.

283. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS)

284. Cintas Corporation

285. The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

286. Tractor Supply Company

287. Oneok, Inc.

288. WestRock Company

289. IDEX Corporation

290. Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

291. Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG)

292. Garmin Ltd.

293. F5 Networks, Inc.

294. Owens Corning

295. AmerisourceBergen Corporation

296. Arista Networks, Inc.

297. Akamai Technologies, Inc.

298. Lincoln National Corporation

299. D.R. Horton, Inc.

300. Nasdaq, Inc.

301. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

302. Amphenol Corporation

303. Harley-Davidson, Inc.

304. The Hershey Company

305. Navistar International Corporation

306. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

307. Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

308. Analog Devices, Inc.

309. The Sherwin-Williams Company

310. Ralph Lauren Corporation

311. Foot Locker, Inc.

312. CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

313. DaVita Inc.

314. Eversource Energy

315. PPG Industries, Inc.

316. The E.W. Scripps Company

317. Synopsys, Inc.

318. Discover Financial Services

319. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

320. Iron Mountain Incorporated

321. PerkinElmer, Inc.

322. Frontier Communications Corporation

323. PACCAR Inc

324. Kimberly-Clark Corporation

325. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

326. SL Green Realty Corp.

327. Kansas City Southern

328. The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated

329. MSCI Inc.

330. The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

331. Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

332. The Clorox Company

333. Qorvo, Inc.

334. Ameren Corporation

335. Robert Half International Inc.

336. Paychex, Inc.

337. Universal Health Services, Inc.

338. Darden Restaurants, Inc.

339. Oshkosh Corporation

340. Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

341. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

342. Casey's General Stores, Inc.

343. CIT Group Inc.

344. Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation

345. Cincinnati Financial Corporation

346. Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

347. Expedia Group, Inc.

348. Pentair plc

349. The Boston Beer Company, Inc.

350. Gartner, Inc.

351. The AES Corporation

352. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

353. W.R. Berkley Corporation

354. Western Digital Corporation

355. Hologic, Inc.

356. Apache Corporation

357. CMS Energy Corporation

358. Teradyne, Inc.

359. Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

360. CDW Corporation

361. Darden Restaurants, Inc.

362. The Toro Company

363. FirstEnergy Corp.

364. Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

365. Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

366. Dollar Tree, Inc.

367. D.R. Horton, Inc.

368. Broadcom Inc.

369. Omnicom Group Inc.

370. Gentex Corporation

371. Extra Space Storage Inc.

372. Pool Corporation

373. Teleflex Incorporated

374. Molina Healthcare, Inc.

375. Synopsys, Inc.

376. The Cooper Companies, Inc.

377. NVR, Inc.

378. Hersha Hospitality Trust

379. United Natural Foods, Inc.

380. Stericycle, Inc.

381. Comerica Incorporated

382. RPM International Inc.

383. The Wendy's Company

384. Eagle Materials Inc.

385. IDEX Corporation

386. Aaron's, Inc.

387. National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

388. LKQ Corporation

389. Nasdaq, Inc.

390. Univar Solutions Inc.

391. Newell Brands Inc.

392. Coty Inc.

393. National Retail Properties, Inc.

394. PacWest Bancorp

395. H&R Block, Inc.

396. DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

397. Leggett & Platt, Incorporated

398. PTC Inc.

399. WEC Energy Group, Inc.

400. BOK Financial Corporation

401. Red Hat, Inc.

402. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

403. Signature Bank

404. Big Lots, Inc.

405. News Corp (Fox Corporation)

406. United Therapeutics Corporation

407. NCR Corporation

408. Rollins, Inc.

409. The Allstate Corporation

410. Las Vegas Sands Corp.

411. Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

412. Tiffany & Co.

413. Virtu Financial, Inc.

414. Leidos Holdings, Inc.

415. Extra Space Storage Inc.

416. Harley-Davidson, Inc.

417. Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc.

418. Sealed Air Corporation

419. W.W. Grainger, Inc.

420. Autodesk, Inc.

421. Arista Networks, Inc.

422. AGCO Corporation

423. L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

424. NetApp, Inc.

425. Aramark Corporation

426. Constellation Brands, Inc.

427. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.

428. Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.

429. The Gap, Inc.

430. Essent Group Ltd.

431. Westlake Chemical Corporation

432. Coeur Mining, Inc.

433. Sterling Bancorp

434. MKS Instruments, Inc.

435. Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.

436. Black Knight, Inc.

437. Lumentum Holdings Inc.

438. Casey's General Stores, Inc.

439. Western Union Company

440. Lumentum Holdings Inc.

441. Verisign, Inc.

442. Atlassian Corporation Plc

443. SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.

444. Levi Strauss & Co.

445. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

446. Trex Company, Inc.

447. Atkore Inc.

448. Equinix, Inc.

449. II-VI Incorporated

450. Installed Building Products, Inc.

451. Cabot Corporation

452. Rayonier Inc.

453. Hanesbrands Inc.

454. Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc.

455. Graphic Packaging Holding Company

456. Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

457. D.R. Horton, Inc.

458. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

459. Kimball International, Inc.

460. Symantec Corporation

461. Terex Corporation

462. Bausch Health Companies Inc.

463. Globus Medical, Inc.

464. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

465. Dillard's, Inc.

466. LPL Financial Holdings Inc.

467. Uniti Group Inc.

468. Synaptics Incorporated

469. Casey's General Stores, Inc.

470. Envestnet, Inc.

471. Insight Enterprises, Inc.

472. Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

473. WD-40 Company

474. Callon Petroleum Company

475. Matson, Inc.

476. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

477. BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.

478. Calavo Growers, Inc.

479. Marcus & Millichap, Inc.

480. SpartanNash Company

481. TriNet Group, Inc.

482. The Brink's Company

483. Haemonetics Corporation

484. Belden Inc.

485. Kimball Electronics, Inc.

486. Ferro Corporation

487. Hexcel Corporation

488. Northwest Natural Holding Company

489. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.

490. MRC Global Inc.

491. Evercore Inc.

492. Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

493. Amedisys, Inc.

494. Independent Bank Group, Inc.

495. Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

496. LHC Group, Inc.

497. Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

498. United Community Banks, Inc.

499. LTC Properties, Inc.

500. Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

 Conclusion

The Enduring Relevance of the Fortune 500

In conclusion, the Fortune 500 remains a beacon of corporate achievement and economic influence. What started as a simple list of the largest American companies has grown into a global symbol of business success. Its historical journey, ranking methodology, and the stories of the companies it features all contribute to its enduring relevance.

Fortune 500 companies are not just economic powerhouses; they are also agents of change in society. Their impact extends far beyond their balance sheets, encompassing job creation, philanthropy, and diversity initiatives. They set the standard for corporate excellence and innovation.

As the business landscape continues to evolve, so too will the Fortune 500. It will reflect the shifting sands of industry, technology, and global dynamics. The criteria for inclusion may change, and new names will rise to prominence.

Yet, the core principles of success – innovation, leadership, market positioning – will remain constant. Fortune 500 companies will continue to shape the business world and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.