The ranking is based on revenue for the fiscal year 2011.
Fortune compares revenue and profits from fiscal year 2011 and 2010. Apple's revenue in 2011 was $108.249 billion, up 66% compared to the previous year.
Profit for 2011 was $25.922 billion, up 85% on 2010.
At the is Royal Dutch Shell, with $484.489 billion in revenue and $30.918 in profits.
Samsung Electronics is in 22nd place, with $148.944 billion revenue and $12.059 billion profit.