These are the 10 biggest companies in the world by 12-month trailing (TTM) net income, and they represent a striking diversity of industries.
1. Walmart Inc. (WMT) – net income $8.97 billion
Founded in 1962, Walmart has since grown into one of the world’s largest retailers. The company operates discount stores, supercenters, neighborhood markets, as well as a robust online platform. Walmart sells a wide variety of merchandise including clothing and apparel, home goods, books, jewelry, food and beverage, pharmaceutical supplies, and automotive equipment.
2. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) – net income $11.32 billion
Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer by market cap. The company began as an online bookseller and has since grown to encompass virtually every category of retail. Besides selling products through its e-commerce platform, Amazon owns subsidiaries including Whole Foods Market and home security company Ring.
3. China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (SNPMF) – net income $10.47 billion
China Petroleum & Chemical is a producer and distributor of a variety of petrochemical and petroleum products. The company’s products include gasoline, diesel, kerosene, synthetic rubbers and resins, jet fuel, and chemical fertilizers, among other related offerings. Also known as Sinopec, China Petroleum & Chemical is among the largest oil refining, gas, and petrochemical companies in the world.
4. PetroChina Co. Ltd. (PCCYF) – net income $20.89 billion
Oil and gas company PetroChina is engaged in oil exploration, development, production, and sales. It also manufactures petrochemical products. PetroChina is the exchange-listed branch of the Chinese state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation.
5. Apple Inc. (AAPL) – net income $99.80 billion
Apple designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of consumer technology products, including smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearable devices, home entertainment devices, and more. Among the company’s most popular products are its iPhone line of smartphones and Mac line of computers.
6. Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) – net income $51.86 billion
ExxonMobil is a multinational oil and gas corporation headquartered in Texas. It explores for oil and gas or markets its products, or both, in most of the world’s countries. Its gasoline stations are a familiar sight to drivers worldwide, although the brand names they display may be ExxonMobil, Esso, Exxon, or Mobil depending on the locale
7. Shell PLC (SHEL) – net income $43.36 billion
Based in the Netherlands, Royal Dutch Shell explores, produces, and refines petroleum through its subsidiary companies. In addition to operating gas stations around the world, Shell produces and sells fuels, lubricants, and other chemicals.
8. CVS Health Corp. (CVS) – net income $3.15 billion
CVS is an integrated pharmacy health care provider. The company operates a chain of drugstores with locations throughout the U.S. as well as in Puerto Rico. Aside from retail, CVS offers pharmacy benefit management services, mail order pharmacy services, and disease management programs.
9. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) – net income $19.43 billion
UnitedHealth Group Inc. is a multinational healthcare and insurance company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It provides managed healthcare insurance policies to companies, government employers, and individuals. Its healthcare services are delivered by a network of medical groups who provide healthcare services under contract with UnitedHealth.
10. Volkswagen AG (VWAGY) – net income $18.47 billion
The German company builds, sells, and repairs both luxury and economy cars, sports cars, trucks, and other commercial vehicles. VW’s premier luxury brand is Audi.
