Month: February 2018

Market Cap: $752 Billion

Industry: Computer Hardware

Founded: 1976

Chief Executive Officer: Tim Cook

Employees: 116,000

Sales: $217.48 Billion

Headquarters: Cupertino, California

 

Summary: Apple designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication, media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players. They help employees to work more productively and simply, aiding in creative problem solving, communication, and collaboration. Apple is the ninth largest company in the world and ranks seventh in global sales. It holds the number one spot in market value.

 

Why should you care: Apple is one of the most renowned technology innovators in the world, pioneering devices such as the laptop and the smartphone. Though it has yet to jump into the world of intelligent personal assistants (aside from the iPhone’s “Siri”), the company is doing extensive research on artificial intelligence. The next several years will see massive changes to the world of technology, and we foresee Apple at the vanguard.

Market Cap: $507.5 Billion

Industry: Software and Programming

Founded: 1975

Chief Executive Officer: Satya Nadella

Employees: 114,000

Sales: $85.27 Billion

Headquarters: Redmond, Washington

 

Summary: Microsoft corporation engages in the provision of developing and marketing software and hardware services. Its products and services include computing device operating systems, services, phones, and intelligent devices. The company also produces services that aid in productivity, business solutions, desktop and server management, software development, video games, and online advertising. It holds the third ranking for the world’s most valuable brand, and it is the sixth most profitable of America’s top public companies.

 

Why you should care: In the past decade, Microsoft seems to have lagged behind other software and hardware producers (namely: Apple) in innovation and production. However, they are pioneering big data solutions—a new way to house data when the volume exceeds the capacity or cost limitations for relational database systems. A move to big data, though expected, will dramatically change how we interact with and store data in both personal and corporate worlds.

 

Market Cap: $221.1 Billion

Industry: Discount Stores

Founded: 1962

Chief Executive Officer: C. Douglas McMillon

Employees: 2,300,000

Sales: $485.25 Billion

Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas

 

Summary: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. engages in retail and wholesale business and operates through Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam’s Club. They provide services similar to supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, home improvement stores, specialty electronics centers, apparel stores, drug stores, and convenience stores. They also offer specialty services, auto buying, optical services, hearing aid centers, tire and battery centers, and business operations support services.

 

Why you should care: Wal-Mart has pioneered the modern discount store, but—most recently—has fallen behind competitors like Amazon. In an effort to keep pace, Wal-Mart is beginning to research and produce specialty foods. Among their experiments is the “fruit punch pickle.” We will not be surprised to see Wal-Mart grow significantly over the next few years as it continues to innovate.