Unveiling the Fortune 100: America’s Leading Companies by Revenue

What Is the Fortune 100?

The Fortune 100 is a prestigious list of the top 100 companies in the United States, compiled from the broader Fortune 500 ranking. This list is determined by total annual revenues for both public and private companies that report their figures to government bodies.

Key Highlights

• The Fortune 100 is a segment of the more extensive annual Fortune 500 list.
• Introduced in 1955, the Fortune 500 ranks companies based on their reported annual revenues.
• The scope of included companies broadened in 1994 to cover more diverse sectors.
• The contemporary top 100 often features companies from technology, energy, and healthcare sectors.
• Perennial leaders like Amazon and Walmart frequently appear in the top 10, although their standings might vary slightly each year.

Understanding the Fortune 100

First published in 1955, the Fortune 500 has showcased the largest revenue-producing companies annually. The Fortune 100 list, an unofficial segment of this ranking, highlights the top 100 companies based on revenue. Unlike Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, this list strictly honors revenue achievements.

Initially, General Motors led the 1955 list with remarkable revenues of $9.82 billion, surrounded by other industrial giants like Exxon Mobil and General Electric. The list has evolved since, incorporating new sectors and marking the financial prowess of modern companies.

Fortune compiles its rankings from public and private corporations that file financial documents with governmental agencies and operate within the United States.

Requirements for the Fortune 100

Initially rigorous about the categories of companies listed, from 1955 to 1994, the Fortune 500 limited itself to manufacturing, mining, and energy sectors. This exclusion of service sectors left many significant earners out.

However, the 1994 expansion welcomed a more inclusive array of industries. This redefinition allowed new entrants and heightened the revenue thresholds needed for companies to retain their places among the top 500 and, by extension, the Fortune 100.

Despite excluding foreign entities, the list includes companies with major international operations. For example, Walmart, who after joining the list post-1994, claimed the top spot in 2018 with $500.34 billion in revenue.

The Fortune 100 Top 10 Companies in 2023

For the year 2023, the highest-ranking companies are:

1. Walmart
2. Amazon
3. Exxon Mobil
4. Apple
5. UnitedHealth Group
6. CVS Health
7. Berkshire Hathaway
8. Alphabet
9. McKesson
10. Chevron

Distinguishing the Fortune 100 from the Fortune 500

Visually representative of where the real financial muscle lies within the larger Fortune 500, the Fortune 100 homes in on the top 100 revenue earners. Initially limited to industries like mining, manufacturing, and energy, it now also embraces service sectors, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the American economy.

The History of the Fortune 100

Created in 1955, the Fortune 500 began a legacy of celebrating America’s financial titans. General Motors topped the inaugural list, a position held steadfast for over three decades. Alongside, familiar names like Chrysler, Exxon, and General Electric were prominent then and continue to resonate today.

The Difference Between Fortune 100 and Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For

The Fortune 500 celebrates the highest revenue-generators annually, while the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For focuses on employee satisfaction, trust, leadership, and potential for growth, according to extensive employee surveys. The latter evaluates companies having a minimum of 1,000 employees and excludes government agencies.

The Bottom Line

Being listed in the Fortune 100 is a mark of financial excellence and growth. These top 100 companies, part of the wider Fortune 500, epitomize corporate success in the United States, often influencing significant sectors globally and holding places in major indices like the S&P 500.

Related Terms: Fortune 500, annual revenue ranking, largest U.S. companies, corporate hierarchy.

References

1. Fortune. “Fortune 500”.
2. Fortune. “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
3. Fortune. “What Happened to the First Fortune 500?”
4. Fortune. “Introducing the New Fortune 500 List”.
5. Fortune. “Methodology for 100 Best Companies to Work For”.

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