Let's Talk Big Business

The World's Largest Businesses

The world's largest businesses range from oil manufacturers to retail store giants. They all have a wide global impact and are instantly recognizable in most parts of the world. The world's biggest businesses are ranked by their revenue as well as their physical size and number of employees. Each of the following companies is involved in highly diverse areas of business that tie in with their main focus as a company. The list changes annually, but these businesses have been at or near the top for several years in a row.

General Electric

American based General Electric has been in business for more than 100 years and is still holding strong despite the recent economic downturn. The electronic appliance company has survived world wars, depressions, recessions, and energy emergencies to remain one of the top businesses in the world. Even though General Electric's stock prices fell dramatically in the last few years they still managed to bring in a profit that exceeded $100 billion. General Electric products are used in almost every country of the world, and their diverse financial portfolio has allowed them to remain one of the biggest businesses, employing over 300,000 people worldwide.

Royal Dutch Shell

Royal Dutch Shell, a petroleum refining company based in the Netherlands, outpaced the earnings of its closest competitor by over $15 billion in 2009 which is even more than is generated by Fisher Investment. Those earnings give it the title as the largest business in the world. Though it only employs 100,000 people on average, the company is the largest oil provider in Europe. It is still expanding, with a recent purchase of a plant in Qatar that converts natural gas to diesel fuel. This new plant is expected to fuel over 100,000 vehicles every year. Royal Dutch Shell continues to thrive on the world market.

Exxon Mobile

The closest competitor with Royal Dutch Shell for the title of the world's biggest business is Exxon Mobile. Another petroleum refining company, Exxon Mobile's home offices are in Texas in the United States. The company's holdings span the globe, however, with drilling and refining operations in several different parts of the world. The company earned high revenues through 2009, and is expecting to continue to experience growth in the coming years. Exxon Mobile is focusing much of its expansion efforts toward the conversion of liquid natural gas into useful fuel options for automobiles and other gasoline engines. They are currently constructing 4 new liquid natural gas plants.

Toyota Motor

Toyota Motor, an automobile manufacturer based in Japan, has experienced steady growth over the last 5 years. Its stock took a hit in the beginning of 2010 due to highly publicized problems with the accelerators on several of the company's most popular models. Toyota has hired a new president and is returning to a more conservative business model to try to get back on track after the recent problems. Their hybrid vehicles continue to be very popular in the United States as well as Europe, which bodes well for the future of the company.

Wal-Mart Stores

The Arkansas based retail giant, Wal-Mart Stores, continues to be one of the largest businesses in the world with a steady revenue that is near the top of the list. Although shoppers appreciate the low prices Wal-Mart's large number of stores can provide, they have also come under criticism for the impact of smaller businesses who can not compete wit hthe prices they can provide with their large volume. This has caused some to be forced to place their businesses for sale or to be shut down permanently. Recent economic hardships in the United States have made Wal-Mart a popular shopping destination as families try to save money, which has led to higher sales and more profits for the stores. Wal-Mart employs more than 2 million people during its normal operations. The staff numbers swell during busier seasons such as Christmas and early fall. Wal-Mart has also experienced an increase in sales at the international level.

Let's Talk Big Business
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The World's Largest Businesses The world's largest businesses range from oil manufacturers to retail store giants. They all have a wide global impact and are instantly recognizable in most parts of the world. The world's biggest businesses are ranked by their revenue as well as their physical size and number of employees. Each of the following companies is involved in highly diverse areas of business that tie in with their main focus as a company. The list changes annually, but these businesses have been at or near the top for several years in a row. General Electric American based General Electric has been in business for more than 100 years and is still holding strong despite the recent economic downturn. The electronic appliance company has survived world wars, depressions, recessions, and energy emergencies to remain one of the top businesses in the world. Even though General Electric's stock prices fell dramatically in the last few years they still managed to bring in a profit that exceeded $100 billion. General Electric products are used in almost every country of the world, and their diverse financial portfolio has allowed them to remain one of the biggest businesses, employing over 300,000 people worldwide. Royal Dutch Shell Royal Dutch Shell, a petroleum refining company based in the Netherlands, outpaced the earnings of its closest competitor by over $15 billion in 2009 which is even more than is generated by Fisher Investment. Those earnings give it the title as the largest business in the world. Though it only employs 100,000 people on average, the company is the largest oil provider in Europe. It is still expanding, with a recent purchase of a plant in Qatar that converts natural gas to diesel fuel. This new plant is expected to fuel over 100,000 vehicles every year. Royal Dutch Shell continues to thrive on the world market. Exxon Mobile The closest competitor with Royal Dutch Shell for the title of the world's biggest business is Exxon Mobile. Another petroleum refining company, Exxon Mobile's home offices are in Texas in the United States. The company's holdings span the globe, however, with drilling and refining operations in several different parts of the world. The company earned high revenues through 2009, and is expecting to continue to experience growth in the coming years. Exxon Mobile is focusing much of its expansion efforts toward the conversion of liquid natural gas into useful fuel options for automobiles and other gasoline engines. They are currently constructing 4 new liquid natural gas plants. Toyota Motor Toyota Motor, an automobile manufacturer based in Japan, has experienced steady growth over the last 5 years. Its stock took a hit in the beginning of 2010 due to highly publicized problems with the accelerators on several of the company's most popular models. Toyota has hired a new president and is returning to a more conservative business model to try to get back on track after the recent problems. Their hybrid vehicles continue to be very popular in the United States as well as Europe, which bodes well for the future of the company. Wal-Mart Stores The Arkansas based retail giant, Wal-Mart Stores, continues to be one of the largest businesses in the world with a steady revenue that is near the top of the list. Although shoppers appreciate the low prices Wal-Mart's large number of stores can provide, they have also come under criticism for the impact of smaller businesses who can not compete wit hthe prices they can provide with their large volume. This has caused some to be forced to place their businesses for sale or to be shut down permanently. Recent economic hardships in the United States have made Wal-Mart a popular shopping destination as families try to save money, which has led to higher sales and more profits for the stores. Wal-Mart employs more than 2 million people during its normal operations. The staff numbers swell during busier seasons such as Christmas and early fall. Wal-Mart has also experienced an increase in sales at the international level.