You probably know the names of some of the biggest, most influential companies out there but did you know that most of them are not among the 7 most money making companies in the world? You might be interested to know that while popular giants like Samsung and Apple Inc. are on the list, they are not quite where the majority of people think they are. The truth is that some of the biggest players on the market are not the loud, flashy companies which you happily welcome in your everyday life. Some of them keep a low public profile because of their little to no interaction with the public sector. Most of these companies have got to where they are now mainly by servicing or selling their products straight to other industrial giants or producing something which has reached “cult” status on the public markets like the iPhone.
This being said, you will see that a lot of the items on our list are not companies in the meaning you would expect. In today’s world everything can be a business and there is no limit to what you chose to service, sell or trade. It should be pretty clear to you that the most profitable businesses are the ones who deal with other people’s profits. From the most profitable small businesses (Tax Processing, Payroll and the like) to the most profitable giants on a worldwide scale, banking and finance take the first place in any list.
You should consider, however, just how much of your money goes to processing fees for your various reports and payrolls when all the work is more and more frequently handled by computers and other automated devices which are a lot cheaper to run than hiring human workers. We all know that you can rarely make an acceptable profit margin with honest, hard work and playing strictly by the rules. However, should a company lay low enough, it can take the shortcut to becoming successful. Be it by incredibly overhyped, overpriced products or borderline fraud, success on that scale always takes more than hard work.
7. Agricultural Bank of China Limited
Net profit from continuous operation: $27.1 billion
The Agricultural Bank of China or ABC for short is an example of how China has moved on from its suppressive communist past to open markets which have helped it become probably the fastest rising economic force in history. ABC is among the four biggest Chinese banks in operation, all of which are on this list.
6. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Net profit from continuous operation: $27.3 billion
From your phone, TV, microwave, car audio system and loads and loads of other devices which you may or may not have made a part of your everyday life, Samsung rightfully takes its place among the best of the best. Having begun working under the name Samsung Electronics, the Korean giant has been slowly taking over the electronics market ever since.
5. Exxon Mobil Corporation
Net profit from continuous operation: $32.6 billion
Originally hailing from Irving, Texas, this fossil fuel giant has been pumping out millions of barrels daily shortly after its founding in 1999. Exxon Mobil is one of the world’s leaders as far as profits and influence go but they are far from being the biggest producer of fuel, taking only 14th place worldwide as far as their fuel reserves are concerned.
4. China Construction Bank Corporation
Net profit from continuous operation: $34.9 billion
The China Construction Bank Corporation is another one of the four main establishments that were mentioned previously. Currently with all its assets and operational rates, it surpasses even Wells Fargo, the most profitable bank in the USA. However, it differs from it in the fact that like any other bank in China, the state owns the majority of its assets. So, it is no wonder that has found its place in our list of most money making companies in the world.
3. Gazprom OAO
Net profit from continuous operation: $35.7 billion
Gazprom, the Russian natural gas giant is the planet’s number one extractor and supplier. It owes its sudden and quick climb to the top to the falling apart of the USSR back in 1989. Then from being a national establishment it converted to a corporation without losing any of its assets. Since then, Gazprom has been a direct supplier for every Russian household and a big part of Europe.
2. Apple Inc.
Net profit from continuous operation: $37 billion
Let’s be honest, you absolutely expected to see Apple somewhere in this list. Many of you probably thought it would be the topper of our list this time but you are wrong. Close but wrong. We all know Apple started out as a garage company and gradually took over the world of electronics with its ever-so-slightly overpriced and over hyped products which, however, often hold up to the expectations.
1. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited
Net profit from continuous operation: $42.7 billion
Our number one most profitable business establishment in the world is the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Topping the list of the 7 most money making companies in the world, the ICBC Limited. While being strongly suspected in shadow banking and with several accusations about unreliable products, ICBC remains massive, even on a global scale.
