Comments on: 2009 Fortune 500: Who’s No. 1

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:48:34 +0000

There is no competition among oil companies. The big oil companies represent oligopoly.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:02:06 +0000

why xom should take care of someone else’s mess ? They have enough troubles themselves to take care of the business and their share holders !
When the american companies become a charity business ????

By: Harvey, Boston, MA

Harvey, Boston, MA — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:22:53 +0000

Leave Exxon Mobil out of the conversation. They are looking for oil, requires a lot of capital to look for it. If they find oil, they should be rewarded financially for the risk taken. Exxon did not cause the auto industries to decline. Wake up and smell the coffee you idiots

By: Stephanie O'Connor Lansdale, PA

Stephanie O'Connor Lansdale, PA — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:25:20 +0000

Why doesn’t Exxon Mobil create a plan to help bail out the auto industry? A large portion of the problem stems from the rise in gas prices 18 months ago, which put the brakes on truck and SUV sales and it has drifted down to the everyday auto. Americans driving patterns have changed and if there aren’t new auto sales …. there certainly aren’t going to be future profits for Exxon.
It would be great if they would step up to the plate, take the lead and use some of their profit for bailout, some for a research collaboration on alternative fuels and some for a foundation to assist low income people (seniors especially) with heating their homes.

By: Angelo,Adelaide,South Australia

Angelo,Adelaide,South Australia — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:37:25 +0000

The mess The banks have created means people left with debts after foreclosure will be paying that debt for 10-20 years before they can begin to save for a deposit.That will mean less sales in that time.they wont even think about a car or holiday so those industries will be slow to pick up

By: Peter, Houston, TX

Peter, Houston, TX — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:12:43 +0000

It seems amazing that USA companies like Exxon and Chevron can still compete in the global petroleum industry against a domestic headwind of increased taxation and political bullying. Why not view our domestic petroleum industry as a vital source of tax wealth and energy security? Where will we be if we disadvantage our domestic industry with a carbon tax? Do we really want to cannibalize our own to the benefit of OPEC and national oil companies?

By: Trebec, Brookline, MA

Trebec, Brookline, MA — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:24:23 +0000

What’s all this beef with oil companies? Oil makes life easier, safer and better for all people. You liberals wouldn’t be able to afford your MacBook if it wasn’t for the competition between oil companies. You wouldn’t be able to afford much actually.
As for the comments on Exxon, i am also appalled. You guys are all crying and whining. You sound like 5 year olds – entitled to everything that you don’t deserve. Is it a sin to be rich? In your guys eyes it is. So if your successful, it’s not fair for the people who do nothing and collect welfare checks, they deserve the money more than the geniuses that made the wealth.

By: little hope, Twilight zone, Texas

little hope, Twilight zone, Texas — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:22:24 +0000

Whoever is naive enough to say ‘Redistribute wealth’ should move to France. I’ve lived there, you will fit in fine with all the poor people. France is broke, the people are leaving in droves and avoiding the tax insanity – France will have no big business soon other than the govt. We headed for the same train wreck and have not learned from their mistakes, EU here we come. And you shouldnt be allowed to vote ever if you are on welfare.

By: Dissentus, Irvine, CA

Dissentus, Irvine, CA — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:50:01 +0000

My opinion of big companies has changed considerably this past couple of years, and intensifies daily with the continued exposure of outright greed in the form of exorbitant profits, salaries, and bonuses at the expense of the working class people and their labor. At some point this country, yes, even this world, is going to have to re-evaluate the capitalist system that redistributes the wealth of the masses to the pockets of the few elite of the Fortune 500, among others. We need to flip the model to one that distributes wealth among the working class, and the social institutions that all men, women, and children rely upon for the highest quality education, healthcare, housing, sustenance, and life. Why is this so hard to accept and move toward? Why do we hold so dearly on to our system of injustice and inequality while claiming to be a society built upon the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone?
- Dissentus

By: Mike, Fort Worth, Texas

Mike, Fort Worth, Texas — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:07:04 +0000

It truly amazes me how resentful people can be almost to the point of being haters for someone making a profit. No one holds a gun to your head and says buy from Exxon and if you dont want to purchase their gasoline that is part of the great country we live in. But check to see how much each gallon of gas is being taxed by the feds and check to see how much taxes is being paid in by Exxon to help defer us little guys from having to pony up more for the fat cats in congress!!!!!!!!!!

By: Julia, Seattle WA

Julia, Seattle WA — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:06:54 +0000

Still waiting on a check for Punitive Damages for the Vadez Spill. Boycott Exxon!!!

By: George Galletti, Morris Plains, NJ

George Galletti, Morris Plains, NJ — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:05:16 +0000

Just how evil is XOM. Pays taxes, employs bunches of Americans, they pay taxes. XOM also provides a needed resource and cuts down our dependence on foreign oil. Why do we waste our energy castigating the largest American company in the world who is benefiting all of us. I think the USA has a death wish.

By: Sharon FWB, FL

Sharon FWB, FL — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:22:58 +0000

How lovely! And the rich just keep on getting richer!

By: Mike, Denver CO

Mike, Denver CO — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:18:34 +0000

What do people have against a well run company? Try educating yourselves before you speak. Exxon and the other Oil companies have know control over oil prices. Compare Exxon’s profit margins (10%) to other companies on the list and then tell us how they are “gouging” the consumer. Wait until congress raises taxes on Oil companies and raises the gas tax. Then we’ll see how much everyone wants to be “weaned off of oil”. The ignorance is maddening!

By: Mr Educated, Houston, Texas

Mr Educated, Houston, Texas — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:26:08 +0000

I am glad to read that that anyone who understands Exxon makes a valid point about profits, creating wealth and sees that their margin is 11%, not stellar but still a big number. Its sad to see everyone against Exxon makes an emotional invalid point that sounds like a lot of crying, this is what handout nation is coming to… We would all have a lot more gas money if we werent being taxed on everything and only getting worse.

By: joseph mastalski valpariso indiana 46385

joseph mastalski valpariso indiana 46385 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:51:24 +0000

hip hip hooray for capitalism…obama take note……….

By: Nathan, Spring, TX

Nathan, Spring, TX — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:36:43 +0000

We should redistribute the wealth. Profitability should be illegal.

By: George Downey, CA

George Downey, CA — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:01:55 +0000

Ford and GM . . Gee I thought they were up to their drink holders in financial woe. If they are in the toilet (uh, I mean nearing bankruptcy) and they still at the top of the Fortune 500 I am REALLY scared now!

By: Cathy, Westfield Ma.

Cathy, Westfield Ma. — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:58:38 +0000

There is a Mobile Station near us and they have been selling regular for $2.09 for weeks, when all the other brand Stations were selling for $1.89- $1.99. Mobile is down right dirty. We go to the other side of town to get gas at Pride. I refuse to buy Mobile. They are to greedy.

By: Liz, Dallas, TX

Liz, Dallas, TX — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:28:46 +0000

Before you bash Exxon, take a look at all the company’s profits as a % of their revenues. For instance, in the top 100, the following companies were all at 10% or higher: GE, AT&T, IBM, P&G, J&J, Microsoft, Pfizer, PepsiCo, Cisco, Walt Disney; Intel, News Corp, Apple, Coca-Cola, Abbott, Phillip Morris, Emerson Electric, 3M, Occidental Petroleum, and Travelers. Exxon doesn’t deserve to be criticized just because they generate the highest revenue (which is how these companies are ranked. If you sort the top 100 by their profits as a % of revenues, Exxon falls to #19!