Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT)

Walmart is the world's largest company by revenue u2014 over $640 billion annually u2014 and the largest private employer on Earth with 2.1 million associates. It operates roughly 10,500 stores across 19 countries under various banners including Walmart, Sam's Club, and Flipkart (India). Sam Walton opened the first store in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962 with a simple idea: sell everything cheaper than everyone else.

High volume, low margins. Walmart's grocery business (about 60% of US revenue) drives foot traffic, and general merchandise fills the basket. Sam's Club runs on membership fees. Walmart+ is the company's answer to Amazon Prime. The e-commerce and advertising businesses are growing rapidly, with Walmart Connect (its ad platform) becoming a meaningful profit contributor.

Sam Walton opened Walmart #1 in 1962. IPO came in 1970 at $16.50 per share. Walmart became the largest US company by revenue in 2002 and hasn't relinquished the title. The $16 billion Flipkart acquisition in 2018 was the largest e-commerce deal in history at the time. Sam Walton died in 1992; the Walton family still controls about 50% of shares.