Some companies are big, some are… giants. Multinationals have taken over the world and each of the companies on this list makes billions in profits every year. Emphasis on the banks, which are the majority at the top.
Annually, the call Forbes Global 2000 ranks the world's largest companies according to 4 criteria: sales, profits, assets and market value. This ranking is based on last poll released in 2023 by the business and economy magazine. The companies on this list are only public investment companies, which sell shares on the stock exchange. There are other private companies that probably have more money, but nobody knows their true value.
15 Microsoft
- Country: United States
- Sector: information technology and services
- Sales: US $ 153,3 billion
- Assets: US $ 304,1 billion
- Profit: US $ 51,3 billion
- Market value: US $ 1 trillion
Microsoft is one of the largest and most recognized companies in the information technology sector. It stands out especially for the manufacture and sale of software such as operating systems for Windows and the Office line. In addition, she owns two major social networks: Linkedin and Skype.
14. Bank of China
- Country: China
- Sector: Bank
- Sales: US $ 134 billion
- Assets: $3 trillion
- Profit: US $ 27,9 billion
- Market value: US $ 116,7 billion
Founded in 1929, the Bank of China is the oldest Chinese bank still in operation. It offers financial services to individuals, businesses and even governments. In addition, it has several branches, relatively independent, spread around the world.
13 Alphabet
- Country: United States
- Sector: information technology and services
- Sales: US $ 182,4 billion
- Assets: US $ 319,6 billion
- Profit: US$ 40,3
- Market value: US $ 1 trillion
Founded by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Alphabet is actually a large conglomerate of companies of which Google is also a part. The group that formed this conglomerate had existed for a few years and was renamed Alphabet in 2015. Today, among the brands that are part of the conglomerate, Youtube, Android, Book, Earth and Maps stand out.
12.Toyota Motor
- Country: Japan
- Sector: Auto Industry
- Sales: US $ 249,4 billion
- Assets: US $ 561,9 billion
- Profit: US $ 14,3 billion
- Market value: US $ 219,2 billion
Who doesn't need a car? Toyota is known for producing quality cars at affordable prices. The company has also invested heavily in hybrid and more environmentally friendly cars. Toyota's highly efficient production and assembly method revolutionized the automotive industry.
11.Samsung Electronics
- Country: South Korea
- Sector: information Technology
- Sales: US $ 200,7 billion
- Assets: US $ 348,2 billion
- Profit: US $ 22,1 billion
- Market value: US $ 510,5 billion
Currently, Samsung is a leader in the production of quality smartphones at (relatively) affordable prices. The company also produces tablets, batteries and parts for technology from other brands, such as Apple.
10 Amazon
- Country: United States
- Sector: retail
- Sales: US $ 386,1 billion
- Assets: US $ 321,2 billion
- Profit: US$ 21,3
- Market value: 1 trillion
One of the most popular technology and e-commerce companies in the world, Amazon has also specialized over the years in streaming and artificial intelligence. Its founder, businessman Jeff Bezos, became a public figure, and is now one of the richest men in the world.
9. Agricultural Bank of China
- Country: China
- Sector: Bank
- Sales: US $ 153,9 billion
- Assets: $4 trillion
- Profit: US $ 31,3 billion
- Market value: US $ 140,1 billion
What started out as an agricultural bank is now one of the largest banks in the world. When it went public in 2010, the bank had record levels of international investment! The bank was also the target of China's biggest robbery (but that didn't affect the company's success).
8. Ping An Insurance Group
- Country: China
- Sector: insurance
- Sales: US $ 169,1 billion
- Assets: US $ 1 trillion
- Profit: US $ 20,8 billion
- Market value: US $ 211,2 billion
Yeah, insurance companies make a lot of money! Ping An Insurance Group controls several insurance companies from various industries and even has a bank of the same name. One of the tallest buildings in the world belongs to this company.
7. Bank of America
- Country: United States
- Sector: Bank
- Sales: US $ 98,8 billion
- Assets: $2 trillion
- Profit: US $ 17,9 billion
- Market value: US $ 363,3 billion
10% of all US deposits are at the Bank of America! The big American bank also has branches in other countries and many international financial businesses. In recent years, the company has invested more in digital banking services.
6. Apple
- Country: United States
- Sector: hardware
- Sales: US $ 294 billion
- Assets: US $ 354,1 billion
- Profit: US $ 63,9 billion
- Market value: $2 trillion
Just look at the price of an iPhone to understand why Apple is so profitable. Known for producing innovative and quality technology, this company is not afraid to charge a lot for its computers, cell phones, tablets, etc.
5. Saudi Arabian Oil Company
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Sector: oil and gas operations
- Sales: US $ 229,7 billion
- Assets: US $ 510,3 billion
- Profit: US $ 49,3 billion
- Market value: US $ 1 trillion
Also known as Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabian Oil Company is the largest state-owned oil company in the world in terms of oil reserves and production. In 2019, the company had its highest ever IPO. In the same year, it also entered into a partnership with the powerful motorsport brand Formula 1.
4. China Construction Bank
- Country: China
- Sector: Bank
- Sales: US $ 173,5 billion
- Assets: $4 trillion
- Profit: US $ 39,3 billion
- Market value: US $ 210,4 billion
Yes, it's another Chinese bank. China Construction Back has seen great growth and has risen a lot in the rankings, reaching third position (it was second in 2018). Currently, the bank is investing in the international market, seeking to open more branches in other countries.
3 Berkshire Hathaway
- Country: United States
- Sector: diversified finance
- Sales: US $ 245,5 billion
- Assets: US $ 873,7 billion
- Profit: US $ 42,5 billion
- Market value: US $ 624,4 billion
Berkshire Hathaway is a company that manages a range of subsidiary companies, including insurance companies such as GEICO and General Re; energy, apparel, construction, flight services, retail and finance groups. The company's director is the renowned financial guru Warren Buffett, who is on the list of the richest men in the world. According to stories related to the entrepreneur, he has been following this path since he was 11 years old.
2 JPMorgan Chase
- Country: United States
- Sector: Bank
- Sales: US $ 136,2 billion
- Assets: $3 trillion
- Profit: US $ 40,4 billion
- Market value: 464,8 bilhões
JPMorgan Chase is a financial services company that has a bank, investment funds and all kinds of commercial acts. It is the largest bank in the United States and even finances election campaigns. Despite losing billions in a bad deal, the company remains firmly at the top of the rankings.
1. ICBC
- Country: China
- Sector: Bank
- Sales: US $ 190,5 billion
- Assets: $4 trillion
- Profit: US $ 45,8 billion
- Market value: US $ 249,5 billion
Forget the illuminati: it's the banks that rule the world! The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (known simply as ICBC) is owned by the Chinese state and has investments and branches in various parts of the world. The trend favors Chinese banks.
