This page lists the largest annual and quarterly earnings and losses in corporate history. In general terms the oil and gas industry is the one generating both largest annual and quarterly earnings. In contrast, both the annual and quarterly losses are more distributed across industries. Telecommunications and financial services, however, are represented quite often on the lists of largest losses.
Largest corporate annual earnings of all time
This list has all global annual earnings of all time, limited to earnings of more than $30 Billion in "real" (i.e. CPI adjusted) value. Note that some record earning may be caused by nonrecurring revenue, like Vodafone in 2014 (disposal of its interest in Verizon Wireless) or Fannie Mae in 2013 (benefit for federal income taxes).
Largest corporate annual losses of all time
This list has all global annual losses of all time, limited to losses of more than $20 Billion in real value (June 2011).
Largest corporate quarterly earnings of all time
This list has all global quarterly earnings of all time, limited to earnings of more than $10 Billion in real value (June 2011).
Largest corporate quarterly losses of all time
This list has all global quarterly losses of all time, limited to losses of more than $10 Billion in real value (June 2011).
See also
- Forbes Global 2000
- List of largest companies by revenue
- List of companies by employees
- List of corporations by market capitalization
- List of wealthiest organizations
References
Sources
- Biggest UK corporate losses : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7911722.stm
- BP swings to massive $17.2 billion loss: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/27/news/companies/bp_earnings/index.htm
- AIG Quarterly Loss Is $61.7 Billion: Biggest Loss In US Corporate History : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/02/aig-quarterly-loss-is-617_n_171001.html
- The biggest annual profits at U.S. companies revealed : https://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/krantz/2008-02-28-biggest-profits_N.htm
- Exxon Mobil reported the largest annual profit in U.S. history : http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/01/30/2009-01-30_exxon_mobil_reported_the_largest_annual_.html
- Exxon Mobil posts record $14.8 billion Q3 profit : http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_e/Exxon_Mobil/20081030_ExxonMobil.html
- BP, Shell gain over $10 billion each in Q3 net : http://www.domain-b.com/industry/oil_gas/20081030_gain.html
- UBS makes biggest quarterly loss in banking history : http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/14/europe.europeanbanks
- GM reports biggest-ever automotive loss : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23124844/
- Ford looks ahead to 2009 after record loss of $12.7B in 2006Â : https://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-01-25-ford-loss_x.htm
- UBS loss biggest in Swiss corporate history : https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE51918R20090210
- AIG Reports $62B Loss for Q4; $99B for Year : http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2009/03/02/98289.htm
- Time Warner reports huge loss, announces job cuts : http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/05/2483470.htm?section=justin
- The Global 2000 - Forbes.com : https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/18/global-09_The-Global-2000_Prof.html
- Royal Dutch Shell plc Annual Review and Summary Financial Statements 2008Â : http://www.annualreview.shell.com/2008/reviewoftheyear/selectedfinancialdata.php
- Royal Dutch Shell plc Second Quarter 2009 - Key Financial Data in dollars, euros and pounds sterling : http://www-static.shell.com/static/investor/downloads/financial_information/quarterly_results/2009/q2/q2_2009_keyfinancials.pdf
