August 11, 2011 marked a great day of Apple when this large enterprise officially surpassed the "giant" oil U.S. Company named Exxon Mobil's to become the nation's largest and most valuable enterprise with the market cap of $337 billion. Here is the list of American most profitable companies we assembled. Let’s take time to discover why they are on the list.
Criteria to estimate the value of a company based on factors such as fixed assets that companies own, earnings, and future business prospects. Along with Apple to be shortlisted top 10 American most valuable companies, there are a series of "giant" companies in technology field such as Google, Microsoft, IBM and AT & T.
Apple
Industry: Consumer electronics
Market cap: $337 billion
Current stock price: $363
Its stock has increased 125% in just two years. Currently, Apple's profits every quarter are about $11 billion like Exxon Mobil’s
Exxon Mobil
Industry: Oil
Market cap: $330 billion
Current stock price: $68
Exxon is the world largest oil company, and in a good quarter, $10 billion in net income is the number this enterprise gains
Microsoft
Industry: Software
Market cap: $202 billion
Current stock price: $24
Microsoft was the No.1 Company a decade ago in terms of market cap but for 10 years, its stock seems to be fixed at 2001 levels
IBM
Industry: Technology
Market cap: $194 billion
Current stock price: $162
IBM has carried out its diversification of its traditional hardware business into services, software, and financing of customer purchases
Chevron
Industry: Oil
Market cap: $181 billion
Current stock price: $90
Chevron company landed the number five in this list by making $11 billion last quarter and has a huge cash balance
Google
Industry: Internet
Market cap: $177 billion
Current stock price: $549
Google Company still rules the search engine market in nearly three quarters of the U.S. and most of Europe
Wal-Mart
Industry: Retail
Market cap: $168 billion
Current stock price: $48
Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer getting $415 billion and also the biggest single employer in the U.S.
Berkshire Hathaway
Industry: Conglomerate
Market cap: $169 billion
Current stock price: $67
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is placed the eighth position in this list
AT&T
Industry: Telecommunications
Market cap: $165 billion
Current stock price: $27
AT&T is one of the largest telecom companies in the world and also one of the most valuable enterprises in America
Procter & Gamble
Industry: Consumer products
Market cap: $163 billion
Current stock price: $58
The world's largest consumer product company P&G expands its business in more than 100 nations with a large range of products: from razors to soap to skin care
