The Fortune 500 Class (of 1955)

Each year Fortune magazine publishes their Fortune 500. Of the 500 companies on the 2023 list, 49 have been on that list for the last 70 years. The list is determined by the size of a firms revenue from year to year. Companies such as IBM, Exxon, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, Boeing, 3M and Cummins make the list.

Back in 1955, GM, GE, and Exxon dominated the list. The entire class had cumulate revenue of $1,549 billion dollars. In 2023, the class had cumulate revenue of $18,844 billion dollars. Today's leaders and the products they offer couldn't even have been imagined back then. When we think about investing bias, it is easy to focus on the most recent hot stock (or trend). What could the next Nvidia be? When will a group of countries have outsized returns and which ones will those be (remember the BRICs)? Is a small collection of stocks the way to go (FAANG's anyone)?

The path to retirement success is a long and boring one. Save early, save often, and leave it alone (SESOLIA?!?).