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Fortune Unveils the 2025 Global 500 List

Today, Fortune has released its much-anticipated 2025 Fortune Global 500™ list, which ranks the world's largest companies by revenue for the 2024 fiscal year. This year's report highlights key trends in the business landscape and features several noteworthy achievements, particularly regarding gender representation among executives.

Walmart Maintains its Top Position

Walmart has secured the number one spot on the Fortune Global 500 list for the twelfth consecutive year. The retail giant continues to dominate, followed by other major corporations, including Amazon, State Grid, Saudi Aramco, and China National Petroleum. The top ten companies generated over $370 billion in annual revenue, cumulatively reaching $4.7 trillion. The United States remains a leader in this arena, housing 138 companies on the list compared to 130 from Greater China, which includes mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Noteworthy Gains in Female Representation

This year marked a significant milestone with the number of female CEOs in Fortune Global 500 companies reaching a record high of 33, representing 6.6% of the total. This achievement is five more than the previous year, reflecting a gradual shift towards greater representation in the corporate world. Notable female leaders highlighted include Mary Barra of GM, labeled as Fortune's 2025 Most Powerful Woman, alongside others like Jane Fraser of Citigroup and Gail K. Boudreaux of Elevance Health. The United States leads in this aspect with 16 companies headed by female CEOs, showcasing a progressive movement in corporate governance.

Insights into the Financial Landscape

The financial sector is prominently featured, with 121 companies making the list, followed by energy (79), motor vehicles and parts (35), technology (34), and healthcare (33). Together, these sectors account for 60% of the cited companies and 66% of their total revenue. Among the undeniable leaders, the notable group of technology firms, referred to as the 'Magnificent Seven'—which includes Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Nvidia, and Tesla—collectively brought in a staggering $2 trillion in revenue and $484 billion in profits last year alone.

Detailed Financial Performance

The 2025 Fortune Global 500 companies reported a record total revenue of $41.7 trillion, which represents an increase of 1.8% from the prior year. Remarkably, these firms also achieved their second most profitable year ever, with total profits amounting to $2.98 trillion—a modest rise of 0.4%. Saudi Aramco, for the fourth consecutive year, led the list in profitability, recording $105 billion in profit.

A Diverse Global Reach

The companies featured in the Fortune Global 500 are spread across 243 cities in 36 different countries and territories. Notable cities like Beijing, Tokyo, New York, Shanghai, and London continue to host a significant portion of these corporations. London notably returns to the top five, demonstrating the evolving landscape of global business.

The Future Outlook

Anastasia Nyrkovskaya, CEO of Fortune, remarked that the Fortune Global 500 gives a fascinating overview of the changing dynamics within the business world. As the list has evolved over the past 36 years, it encapsulates the stories of people and companies that are advancing our global economy. According to Alyson Shontell, Editor in Chief, the recent rankings not only reflect financial standings but also highlight the underlying geopolitical shifts influenced by developments in artificial intelligence, ongoing conflicts, and fluctuations in trade policies.

As the business world continues to adapt to new challenges and realities, the 2025 Fortune Global 500 offers a glimpse into the leaders driving this change, and the dynamics shaping the future of global business.

For more detailed insights, the full Global 500 report will be available in the August/September edition of Fortune, providing readers with an exhaustive look at the world's largest corporations.