Even as the global economy tumbled in 2008, Exxon/Mobil profits skyrocketed, fueled by soaring oil and gas prices during much of the year. Their 19 percent growth was enough to push the energy giant to the top of the Fortune 500 list, edging out WalMart, which had held the top spot for six of the last seven years. 

Exxon/Mobil posted an annual profit of $45.2 billion on $442.9 billion in revenue, but it wasn’t the only oil company to make Fortune’s top ten. Chevron came in number three on the list, with profits up 25 percent on $263.2 in revenue, and ConocoPhillips was fourth, with $230.8 billion. 

Despite their troubles, two U.S. automakers still made the top 10. General Motors slipped two spots to number six, with revenues down 18 percent on losses of $30.9 billion. Ford finished seventh, with $146.9 in revenue.  

Also read “What if Big Oil bought a car company?” And from 2008, "Who is to blame for high gas prices? Motorists know."

—Jim Travers