The U.S boasted only 153 of the world's largest 500 companies, down from 162 last year, in its worst performance in more than a decade. The rankings are based on 2007 audited revenues.
The list can be found here and will appear on newsstands next week.
Strain in the U.S. economy was evident as financial companies, reeling from the credit crunch, took a dive down the chart. Washington Mutual Inc (NYSE:WM) and Countrywide, recently bought by Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), each dropped about 70 notches.
U.S. consumer goods companies were also hurt. Apparel companies Gap Inc (NYSE:GPS) and Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) fell off the chart entirely.
But the so-called BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - wasted no time picking up the slack, fueled by a boom in oil and metals companies.
More than 29 Chinese companies appeared on the chart, the nation's best ever showing. Chinese companies, now among the world's 500 largest, include oil company Sinopec Corp (HKG:0386)(NYSE:SNP) (SHA:600028) and the world's No. 4 computer manufacturer Lenovo Group Ltd. (HKG:0992).
India had seven companies on the list while Russia and Brazil landed five apiece.
But the authors said
Reuters
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