Special Report

The Biggest Company the Year You Were Born

Thomas C. Frohlich, Steven Peters, Michael B. Sauter

Published: June 4, 2019 2:12 pm

Last Updated: March 13, 2020 8:20 pm

To succeed in the U.S. economy, companies must constantly adapt to changing conditions. Though some of the nation’s largest corporations — companies such as General Electric, Exxon Mobil, and Walmart — have always dominated, for many American consumers the landscape of companies has shifted over the course of their lifetimes.

To identify the largest companies in the year you were born, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed annual revenue figures for companies on the Fortune 500 each year from 1955 through 2018. General Motors was the nation’s largest company throughout the 1950s, ‘60s, and part of the ‘70s. Exxon Mobil edged out the automaker in 1975, but GM returned to the No. 1 position periodically in subsequent years.

Since 2001, either Walmart or Exxon Mobil has occupied the top spot. With revenue of over $500 billion in its most recent fiscal year, the global retailing giant is the world’s largest company by revenue, and the largest employer in 22 states.

Though industrial companies used to be among the largest in terms of revenue, internet and tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon, are decisively making their way toward the top of the list.

These large companies tend to pay their executives well, and have some of the highest paid CEOs in the country. Some of the CEOs of these companies make over 1,000 times more than their employees.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $9.82 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $5.66 billion
3. U.S. Steel: $3.25 billion
4. General Electric: $2.96 billion
5. Esmark: $2.51 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $12.44 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $6.27 billion
3. Ford Motor: $5.59 billion
4. U.S. Steel: $4.10 billion
5. Chrysler: $3.47 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $10.80 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $7.13 billion
3. Ford Motor: $4.65 billion
4. U.S. Steel: $4.23 billion
5. General Electric: $4.09 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $10.99 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $7.83 billion
3. Ford Motor: $5.77 billion
4. U.S. Steel: $4.41 billion
5. General Electric: $4.34 billion

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $9.52 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $7.54 billion
3. Ford Motor: $4.13 billion
4. General Electric: $4.12 billion
5. U.S. Steel: $3.47 billion

Source: sv1ambo / Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $11.23 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $7.91 billion
3. Ford Motor: $5.36 billion
4. General Electric: $4.35 billion
5. U.S. Steel: $3.64 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $12.74 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $8.04 billion
3. Ford Motor: $5.24 billion
4. General Electric: $4.20 billion
5. U.S. Steel: $3.70 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $11.40 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $8.44 billion
3. Ford Motor: $6.71 billion
4. General Electric: $4.46 billion
5. Mobil: $3.32 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $14.64 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $9.54 billion
3. Ford Motor: $8.09 billion
4. General Electric: $4.79 billion
5. Mobil: $3.93 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $16.50 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $10.26 billion
3. Ford Motor: $8.74 billion
4. General Electric: $4.92 billion
5. Mobil: $4.35 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $17.00 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $10.82 billion
3. Ford Motor: $9.67 billion
4. General Electric: $4.94 billion
5. Mobil: $4.50 billion

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $20.73 billion
2. Ford Motor: $11.54 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $11.47 billion
4. General Electric: $6.21 billion
5. Chrysler: $5.30 billion

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $20.21 billion
2. Ford Motor: $12.24 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $12.19 billion
4. General Electric: $7.18 billion
5. Chrysler: $5.65 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $20.03 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $13.27 billion
3. Ford Motor: $10.52 billion
4. General Electric: $7.74 billion
5. Chrysler: $6.21 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $22.76 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $14.09 billion
3. Ford Motor: $14.08 billion
4. General Electric: $8.38 billion
5. Chrysler: $7.45 billion

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $24.30 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $14.93 billion
3. Ford Motor: $14.76 billion
4. General Electric: $8.45 billion
5. International Business Machines: $7.20 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $18.75 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $16.55 billion
3. Ford Motor: $14.98 billion
4. General Electric: $8.73 billion
5. International Business Machines: $7.50 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $28.26 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $18.70 billion
3. Ford Motor: $16.43 billion
4. General Electric: $9.43 billion
5. International Business Machines: $8.27 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $30.44 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $20.31 billion
3. Ford Motor: $20.19 billion
4. General Electric: $10.24 billion
5. Chrysler: $9.76 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $35.80 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $25.72 billion
3. Ford Motor: $23.02 billion
4. Chrysler: $11.77 billion
5. General Electric: $11.58 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Exxon Mobil: $42.06 billion
2. General Motors: $31.55 billion
3. Ford Motor: $23.62 billion
4. Texaco: $23.26 billion
5. Mobil: $18.93 billion

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Exxon Mobil: $44.87 billion
2. General Motors: $35.73 billion
3. Texaco: $24.51 billion
4. Ford Motor: $24.01 billion
5. Mobil: $20.62 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Exxon Mobil: $48.63 billion
2. General Motors: $47.18 billion
3. Ford Motor: $28.84 billion
4. Texaco: $26.45 billion
5. Mobil: $26.06 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $54.96 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $54.13 billion
3. Ford Motor: $37.84 billion
4. Mobil: $32.13 billion
5. Texaco: $27.92 billion

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The World’s 20 Fastest Growing Retailers

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $63.22 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $60.34 billion
3. Ford Motor: $42.78 billion
4. Mobil: $34.74 billion
5. Texaco: $28.61 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Exxon Mobil: $79.11 billion
2. General Motors: $66.31 billion
3. Mobil: $44.72 billion
4. Ford Motor: $43.51 billion
5. Texaco: $38.35 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Exxon Mobil: $103.14 billion
2. Mobil: $59.51 billion
3. General Motors: $57.73 billion
4. Texaco: $51.20 billion
5. Chevron: $40.48 billion

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Exxon Mobil: $108.11 billion
2. Mobil: $64.49 billion
3. General Motors: $62.70 billion
4. Texaco: $57.63 billion
5. Chevron: $44.22 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. Exxon Mobil: $97.17 billion
2. General Motors: $60.03 billion
3. Mobil: $59.95 billion
4. Texaco: $46.99 billion
5. Ford Motor: $37.07 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. Exxon Mobil: $88.56 billion
2. General Motors: $74.58 billion
3. Mobil: $54.61 billion
4. Ford Motor: $44.46 billion
5. International Business Machines: $40.18 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. Exxon Mobil: $90.85 billion
2. General Motors: $83.89 billion
3. Mobil: $56.05 billion
4. Ford Motor: $52.37 billion
5. Texaco: $47.33 billion

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Source: Thinkstock

1. General Motors: $96.37 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $86.67 billion
3. Mobil: $55.96 billion
4. Ford Motor: $52.77 billion
5. International Business Machines: $50.06 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. General Motors: $102.81 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $69.89 billion
3. Ford Motor: $62.72 billion
4. International Business Machines: $51.25 billion
5. Mobil: $44.87 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $101.78 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $76.42 billion
3. Ford Motor: $71.64 billion
4. International Business Machines: $54.22 billion
5. Mobil: $51.22 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. General Motors: $121.09 billion
2. Ford Motor: $92.45 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $79.56 billion
4. International Business Machines: $59.68 billion
5. General Electric: $49.41 billion

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Source: Thinkstock

1. General Motors: $126.97 billion
2. Ford Motor: $96.93 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $86.66 billion
4. International Business Machines: $63.44 billion
5. General Electric: $55.26 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. General Motors: $125.13 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $105.89 billion
3. Ford Motor: $98.28 billion
4. International Business Machines: $69.02 billion
5. Mobil: $58.77 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $123.78 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $103.24 billion
3. Ford Motor: $88.96 billion
4. International Business Machines: $65.39 billion
5. General Electric: $60.24 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. General Motors: $132.78 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $103.55 billion
3. Ford Motor: $100.79 billion
4. International Business Machines: $65.10 billion
5. General Electric: $62.20 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. General Motors: $133.62 billion
2. Ford Motor: $108.52 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $97.83 billion
4. International Business Machines: $62.72 billion
5. General Electric: $60.82 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. General Motors: $154.95 billion
2. Ford Motor: $128.44 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $101.46 billion
4. Wal-Mart Stores: $83.41 billion
5. AT&T: $75.09 billion

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Source: Thinkstock

1. General Motors: $168.83 billion
2. Ford Motor: $137.14 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $110.01 billion
4. Wal-Mart Stores: $93.63 billion
5. AT&T: $79.61 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $168.37 billion
2. Ford Motor: $146.99 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $119.43 billion
4. Wal-Mart Stores: $106.15 billion
5. General Electric: $79.18 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $178.17 billion
2. Ford Motor: $153.63 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $122.38 billion
4. Wal-Mart Stores: $119.30 billion
5. General Electric: $90.84 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $161.32 billion
2. Ford Motor: $144.42 billion
3. Wal-Mart Stores: $139.21 billion
4. Exxon Mobil: $100.70 billion
5. General Electric: $100.47 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. General Motors: $189.06 billion
2. Wal-Mart Stores: $166.81 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $163.88 billion
4. Ford Motor: $162.56 billion
5. General Electric: $111.63 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. Exxon Mobil: $210.39 billion
2. Wal-Mart Stores: $193.30 billion
3. General Motors: $184.63 billion
4. Ford Motor: $180.60 billion
5. General Electric: $129.85 billion

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Wal-Mart Stores: $219.81 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $191.58 billion
3. General Motors: $177.26 billion
4. Ford Motor: $162.41 billion
5. Enron: $138.72 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Wal-Mart Stores: $246.53 billion
2. General Motors: $186.76 billion
3. Exxon Mobil: $182.47 billion
4. Ford Motor: $163.63 billion
5. General Electric: $131.70 billion

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These CEOs Make 1,000 Times More Than Their Employees

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Wal-Mart Stores: $258.68 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $213.20 billion
3. General Motors: $195.65 billion
4. Ford Motor: $164.50 billion
5. General Electric: $134.19 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Wal-Mart Stores: $288.19 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $270.77 billion
3. General Motors: $193.52 billion
4. Ford Motor: $172.23 billion
5. General Electric: $152.36 billion

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Source: Thinkstock

1. Exxon Mobil: $339.94 billion
2. Wal-Mart Stores: $315.65 billion
3. General Motors: $192.60 billion
4. Chevron: $189.48 billion
5. Ford Motor: $177.21 billion

Source: Thinkstock

1. Wal-Mart Stores: $351.14 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $347.25 billion
3. General Motors: $207.35 billion
4. Chevron: $200.57 billion
5. ConocoPhillips: $172.45 billion

Source: Courtesy of Wal Mart

1. Wal-Mart Stores: $378.80 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $372.82 billion
3. Chevron: $210.78 billion
4. General Motors: $182.35 billion
5. ConocoPhillips: $178.56 billion

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Companies With the Best and Worst Reputations

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Exxon Mobil: $442.85 billion
2. Wal-Mart Stores: $405.61 billion
3. Chevron: $263.16 billion
4. ConocoPhillips: $230.76 billion
5. General Electric: $183.21 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Wal-Mart Stores: $408.21 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $284.65 billion
3. Chevron: $163.53 billion
4. General Electric: $156.78 billion
5. Bank of America Corp.: $150.45 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Wal-Mart Stores: $421.85 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $354.67 billion
3. Chevron: $196.34 billion
4. ConocoPhillips: $184.97 billion
5. Fannie Mae: $153.83 billion

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Exxon Mobil: $452.93 billion
2. Wal-Mart Stores: $446.95 billion
3. Chevron: $245.62 billion
4. ConocoPhillips: $237.27 billion
5. General Motors: $150.28 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Wal-mart Stores: $469.16 billion
2. Exxon Mobil Corporation: $449.89 billion
3. Chevron Corporation: $233.90 billion
4. Phillips 66: $169.55 billion
5. Berkshire Hathaway Inc.: $162.46 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Wal-mart Stores: $476.29 billion
2. Exxon Mobil Corporation: $407.67 billion
3. Chevron Corporation: $220.36 billion
4. Berkshire Hathaway Inc.: $182.15 billion
5. Apple, Inc.: $170.91 billion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

1. Wal-mart Stores: $485.65 billion
2. Exxon Mobil Corporation: $382.60 billion
3. Chevron Corporation: $203.78 billion
4. Berkshire Hathaway Inc.: $194.67 billion
5. Apple, Inc.: $182.80 billion

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Source: slobo / Getty Images

1. Walmart: $482.13 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $246.20 billion
3. Apple: $233.72 billion
4. Berkshire Hathaway: $210.82 billion
5. McKesson: $181.24 billion

Source: Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images

1. Walmart: $485.87 billion
2. Berkshire Hathaway: $223.60 billion
3. Apple: $215.64 billion
4. Exxon Mobil: $205.00 billion
5. McKesson: $192.49 billion

Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

1. Walmart: $500.34 billion
2. Exxon Mobil: $244.36 billion
3. Berkshire Hathaway: $242.14 billion
4. Apple: $229.24 billion
5. UnitedHealth Group: $201.16 billion