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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Nick Fletcher

The biggest corporate profits of all time

An employee sits in front of a poster advertising the New iPad at an Apple dealership in Wuhan, Hubei province, China.
An employee sits in front of a poster advertising the New iPad at an Apple dealership in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Photograph: DARLEY SHEN/REUTERS

Apple

How much? $18.04bn

When reported? 27 January 2015

Why? Bumper sales of iPhone 6 and growing demand from China

Gazprom

How much? $16.24bn

When? 30 August 2011

Why? Increased gas sales both inside and outside the country and higher commodity prices.

ExxonMobil

How much? $15.9bn

When? 26 July 2012

Why? Rising oil prices and profits from disposals

Royal Dutch Shell

How much? $15.68bn

When? 30 June 2008

Why? Benefits from oil hitting a record high of $147 a barrel

Apple

How much? $13.10bn

When? 27 January 2014

Why? Record quarterly sales of iPhones and iPads

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