2025 Fortune 500 List: Key Updates, Trends, and Future Outlook
The latest Fortune 500 ranking reveals significant shifts in corporate America, from new entrants and leadership changes to evolving economic influences like tariffs and AI. Below is an in-depth look at the most important developments.
2025 Ranking Criteria & Top Performers
This year, the minimum revenue required to make the list climbed to $7.1 billion, underscoring the strength of the U.S. economy. The top 10 companies remain industry giants, with Walmart retaining its #1 spot, followed by:
- Amazon
- UnitedHealth Group
- Apple
- CVS Health
- Berkshire Hathaway
- Exxon Mobil
- Alphabet
- McKesson
- Cencora
A milestone worth noting: 55 female CEOs now lead Fortune 500 firms—a record high, representing 11% of the list.
Where can I download an Excel spreadsheet of the 2025 Fortune 500 List?
databahn have compiled the 2025 Fortune 500 list into an Excel spreadsheet list. You can download it here.
New Additions to the 2025 Fortune 500
Fourteen companies joined the ranks this year, including:
- GE Vernova (#130)
- Ferguson Enterprises (#146)
- Kenvue (#281), a Johnson & Johnson spinoff
- Palo Alto Networks (#470)
- CACI International (returning after an absence)
Notable Exits from the List
Some well-known companies dropped off, such as:
- Albemarle Corp. (world’s top lithium producer)
- Genworth Financial
-
Leadership Changes Among Fortune 500 Firms
Several major corporations appointed new CEOs ahead of the 2025 ranking: - UnitedHealth Group: Andrew Witty (new CEO)
- Walgreens Boots Alliance: Timothy Wentworth
- Costco Wholesale: Ron M. Vachris
- Ulta Beauty: David Kimbell
- Tapestry (Coach/Kate Spade parent company): Joanne Crevoiserat
Corporate Rebranding
One of the most notable name changes this year is:
- Cencora (previously AmerisourceBergen), reflecting its global expansion and unified corporate vision.
How Tariffs Could Reshape the Fortune 500 in 2025
Trade policies remain a critical factor for major corporations, with potential effects including:
- Higher Costs & Supply Chain Challenges: Firms dependent on international manufacturing (especially in China) may see squeezed profit margins.
- Strategic Shifts: Many businesses are diversifying supply chains to reduce tariff-related risks.
- Industry-Specific Consequences: Automotive, retail, and manufacturing sectors may face the biggest disruptions, while some U.S.-based producers could benefit.
The Growing Influence of AI on Fortune 500 Companies
Artificial intelligence is transforming corporate strategies in key ways:
- Operational Efficiency: AI-driven automation is cutting costs and boosting productivity.
- Innovation & Market Disruption: Leading firms are using AI to create new products, enhance customer personalization, and redefine business models.
- Competitive Edge: Companies embracing AI are likely to climb the rankings, while those slow to adapt risk falling behind.
As the business landscape evolves, the Fortune 500 continues to reflect broader economic trends—from leadership diversity to technological disruption and global trade dynamics.
