After a sharp drop in corporate after-tax profits in 2008 and 2009, the U.S. has gone on to have three consecutive years of earnings; 2012 represented the highest level of after-tax profits for U.S. corporations in the country’s history. Profits now account for 11-12% of GDP, up sharply from 4.8% during the 2008-2009 recession. At the very beginning of 2013, large U.S. companies had $1.3 trillion in cash equivalents. According to FactSet, the U.S. has 10 of the top 25 most profitable companies in the world, twice as many as China.

 

2012 World’s Most Profitable Companies

 

Rank / Country	Profit in billions	Rank / Country	Profit in billions
#1  Exxon Mobil	$45	#16  Walmart	$17
#2  Apple	$42	#17  Microsoft	$17
#8  Chevron	$26	#18  IBM	$17
#12  J.P. Morgan	$21	#21  Berkshire	$15
#14  Wells Fargo	$19	#22  G.E.	$15