[size=14pt]US’ Fortune names Gazprom world’s most profitable company[/size]

MOSCOW, Jul 9 (PRIME-TASS) -- U.S. business magazine Fortune has named Russian gas giant Gazprom the world’s most profitable company, the magazine said late Thursday.

Gazprom’s net profit fell 17.8% on the year to U.S. $24.56 billion in 2009, Fortune said.

The Russian company thus moved from the second position it held last year to break a 5-year run by Exxon Mobil in the number one position.

Gazprom also ranked 50th among the world’s largest companies in terms of revenue. Fortune estimated Gazprom’s revenue at $94.472 billion in 2009.

U.S.-based retailer Wal-Mart Stores was crowned the world’s largest company in terms of revenue, with its revenue estimated at $408.214 billion.

Other Russian companies on Fortune’s list of 500 world’s largest companies include oil majors Lukoil, Rosneft, and TNK-BP, state-controlled Sberbank, and multi-industry holding AFK Sistema.

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09.07.2010 12:03

http://www.prime-tass.com/news/show.asp?topicid=58&id=482274