What is a Fortune 500 company? The story behind the list
The Fortune 500 list, a benchmark for U.S. companies, ranks the largest 500 by revenue. Launched in 1955 by Edgar P. Smith, it initially aimed to document the booming post-war economy. The list requires companies to be incorporated and file financial statements with a U.S. government agency, with a minimum revenue threshold of $7.5 billion for 2026. AI
