Apple makes Fortune 100

Apple has finally made it back onto Fortune's list of the 100 largest companies in the U.S., for the first time since Steve Jobs' return as CEO. The company for decades has remained in the top 500, although it fell from the top echelon in 1995. A 32-spot improvement brings the Mac-maker into the 71st position this year.

The significant jump can be partially explained by the ill fate of companies previously holding higher positions. More importantly, however, was a 35-percent revenue gain the computer-maker achieved in 2008, bringing total revenues past $32 billion for the year.

Several of Apple's competitors also gained positions in the Fortune 100. HP rose from 14th to 9th, leading the pack, while Dell gained one position to 33rd. Microsoft posted over $60 billion in revenue and jumped from 43rd to 35th on the list.

Apple holds contrasting ranks in several of Fortune's other comparisons. The company is considered the "most admired" company in the United States, although it has not established a presence amid the top 100 "best employers" since 2006.

by MacNN Staff