ANDREW THOMAS/GETTY IMAGES
Companies on the 17th annual Global 2000, Forbes’ ranking of the world’s largest public companies, account for more than $40 trillion in annual revenue and upwards of $186 trillion in global assets. Rankings are based on a composite score of revenue, profits, assets and market value. After a year of volatility and shifting international power, these are the major trends shaping today’s global economy.
The United States And China Face Off
Steep market selloffs and retaliatory tariffs are the latest developments in mounting trade tensions between the United States and China. If ever there’s been a tipping point in the economic tug-of-war between the world’s largest economies, it’s now. 61 countries earned a spot on this annual ranking of the world’s largest companies, but the concentration of power is undoubtedly in favor of the U.S. and China.
In the top 10 bracket, the U.S. and China were two of the only three countries that added companies to the Global 2000 since last year. The U.S. now has 575 companies on the list, up 16 from 559 last year and adding just two fewer than China, which had 18 additions this year.
The overall trend is clear: despite facing slowing GDP growth and multi-billion-dollar Trump tariffs, the world’s second-largest economy and its largest manufacturing hub continues to strengthen its presence on the Global 2000. For the first time ever, China makes the most appearances out of any other country in the top 10. Its five entries best the U.S.’ four after storied U.S. conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway tumbled out of the top rankings.
Berkshire’s balance sheet saw a major writedown in the fourth quarter thanks to its major holding Kraft Heinz, which restated $181 million of its financials and fell more than 400 spots to #548 in the global rankings.
Back when the Global 2000 was first released in 2003, China and Hong Kong had just 43 companies on the list, compared to 776 from the United States.
Elsewhere in the top ranks, Canada overtook Germany to claim the #8 spot after adding 6 companies to the list. There were no other shifts in the more-saturated top 10 countries, which now cumulatively represent more than 75% of the list in terms of assets.
Top Industries
Banking and finance are the most represented industries on the list this year, with 453 companies, or just over one-fifth of all entries, falling into those categories. Most U.S. banks had a good year, riding a wave of rising profits thanks to major tax cuts. JPMorgan and Bank of America both climbed in the rankings, while Wells Fargo, in the wake of a major scandal involving shady sales practices, fell from #7 to #10.
Construction firms like the China State Construction Engineering Corp. make up the next most populous industry category. 35% of the 123 companies in this category are from China, which has experienced a major infrastructure boom over the last decade. Oil and gas companies are next up, followed by insurance companies and materials companies like U.S. aluminum producer Alcoa.
Profits
When it comes to oil & gas, the law of supply and demand holds as true as ever: strong prices over the past year and strengthening demand in the face of uncertain supply pushed up profits across the sector.
And if JPMorgan’s $3.7 billion tax cut windfall was any indication, it’s no surprise that banks saw the second-largest leap on profit over the past year. One notable outlier is Italy’s Intesa Sanpaolo, which dropped 69 spots on the list after its profits fell by more than half.
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Apple’s iPhone 11 Pro is a gorgeous smartphone, as is the nearly identical iPhone 11 Pro Max (it’s just larger, basically). You will want to keep it that way. So, do you choose a folio to wrap it completely and give you somewhere to put your credit cards and banknotes? Or something so slim it’s almost like not using a case at all? Exactly how good is the protection level? Does it mean the phone is still comfortable to hold?
Here are the best cases you can buy right now for both sizes of iPhone 11 Pro. And just as the iPhone now goes to 11, so does this guide.
Incidentally, if it’s the smaller, more affordable iPhone 11 you need to clad, fellow Forbes contributor has written the definitive guide to cases for that phone. Check it out here.
Update: now even better, this guide now goes to 13 with the addition of the Apple silicone case! Links have now been improved and prices updated. New offer prices, such as reduced prices on selected Apple cases from Amazon, have been added.
Best grippy case
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Silicone case $39 from Apple, here, or from $29.99, a $9.01 discount, from Amazon, here.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Silicone case $39 from Apple, here, or from $31, an $8 discount from Amazon, here.
Smartphones in general can be rather slippy in the hand. Despite its smooth, matte finish, the iPhone 11 Pro can still be a little less sure in the grip than you might like. Apple’s silicone cases are superbly grippable, so that they’re much harder to accidentally drop. The finish here is similar to the Smart Battery case below, but this is even easier to hold because it there’s no extra bulk or weight to fit a battery in. The case creeps round the front of the phone, too, so it’ll protect the handset whichever way up it falls.
Currently on sale at Amazon, the price depends on the color you choose: for instance, in the smaller size white is $29.99, black is $31.99 but some other colors are at full price.
Mous Limitless 3.0 iPhone 11 Pro case
MOUS
Best protective case
How clumsy are you? The Mous case is remarkable and will ensure your iPhone will survive even if you drop it quite a distance. Mous cases use a special technology called AiroShock which acts as a powerful shock absorber. It works amazingly, and offers real peace of mind. Raised top and bottom edges mean the phone is protected even if it falls flat on its face. The carbon fiber casing is particularly strong, and especially cool-looking.
iPhone 11 Pro Clear Case
APPLE
Best see-through case
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Clear Case from Apple, $39, or $34.95 from Amazon, here.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Clear Casefrom Apple, $39, or $33.99 from Amazon, here.
Where some cases are matte or slightly hard to see through, this one is completely clear. It’s a gloss-finish material that feels great in the hand. It has scratch-resistance built in and is soft enough to feel comfortable but solid and reassuring. Apple says it won’t yellow but will stay perfectly transparent. The front edges creep around the glass on the front to protect the display. There’s no extra protection material in this case but it is enough to keep your iPhone safe. But it’s the feel of the case that really stands out. The same case is also available for the iPhone 11, by the way.
tech21 Studio Colour in yellow
TECH21
Best Eco-Friendly Case
Tech21 is one of the great global brands in phone protection. And it’s one of the most environmentally friendly. Its cases use the company’s own BioShield technology which protects the phone from drops of up to 8 feet and, because it’s over 30% made of plant-based materials, environmental issues are limited in the long term. Future products will be made of 100% plant-based materials, the company says. It’s slim, attractive and comes in a bunch of colors. It even has microbe-fighting tech to ensure it’s hygienically clean.
Lucrin Classic Case brown
APPLE
Best-quality case
The quality of workmanship on the products from Swiss manufacturer Lucrin is outstanding, and makes for a great-looking, beautiful-feeling smartphone case. As well as this model which is a regular sleeve, Lucrin also turns out folios, sleeves with pull tabs, pouches where the iPhone is removed sideways, cases designed to fit on your belt and others. You’d be hard put not to find a style you like. But then you have to choose your color, leather finish and whether you want the case engraved – all from the Lucrin website. There are also several choices and more than enough colors available from Amazon.
Peel Jet White iPhone 11 Pro case
PEEL
Best super-thin case
Really, this case is so slim it’s like you’re using your iPhone naked. So to speak. The slick Peel cases come in matte or gloss finish. My personal favorite is the Jet White option which looks sumptuous and appealing. The translucent options let the Apple logo shine through – there’s no branding from Peel to confuse the issue. Note that because it’s so thin, the Peel case doesn’t protect the iPhone’s display, so it’s worth considering a screen protector as well. Luckily, Peel makes those as well, from tempered glass, no less.
Apple Leather Folio
APPLE
Best Folio
Oh my, but this is a handsome case. Where rival leather folios have inferior stitching or inelegant detailing, this one is class, all the way through. It comes in two colors, black and aubergine (which turns out to be a deep purple finish) and both are attractive. The inside of the case has a microfibre lining to keep your iPhone scratch-free and the front pockets are capacious enough for notes and cards. The leather is soft and tactile, but tough enough to be long-lasting. There are cheaper folio cases but this is worth the money – especially with the current reductions on some versions.
Mujjo Full Leather Wallet in Alpine Green
MUJJO
Best Card case
So, you want a case that just fits over the back of your iPhone 11 Pro, but you also want something that will keep your cards safe? Mujjo has the answer with this attractive leather case that comes in great colors like Monaco Blue. The leather is thick and strong, so you feel it’ll protect your phone easily, and the pocket on the back means you can store credit cards easily, without the need for a wraparound cover. Looks great and is highly practical.
Snakehive Leather Case for iPhone 11 Pro
SNAKEHIVE
Best affordable folio
This is a great leather folio from British brand Snakehive which has a glorious matte-finish feel that’s almost like velvet. The rubberized phone holder keeps the handset secure and works as a shock absorber. The front panel has three credit card slots and another place for banknotes. Oh, and one more feature: you can set it so it turns into a stand where the phone is angled perfectly for viewing, ideal for videos. Choose from black, brown, plum or navy.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Smart Battery Case
APPLE
Best battery case
The battery life on the latest iPhones is so good you may feel this is extra battery life you don’t need. But if, say, you use your iPhone as a GPS without plugging it into your car or you know you don’t get a chance to recharge every night, then it’s worth considering. It adds bulk and weight but feels great and works well. It really is smart: your iPhone screen shows battery charge for both your phone and the case. It’s wirelessly-rechargeable and can be recharged on any Qi-Compatible charging pad whether the iPhone is in it or not. Oh, and it has a special concave camera button which lets you quickly launch the camera even if the iPhone is in standby.
Sena Ultraslim Case for iPhone 11 Pro in Tan
SENA
Best slim sleeve
Sena makes great, high-quality cases including this classic sleeve which is very slim and feels great to the touch. The soft, microfiber lining helps keep your iPhone free from scratches and this case, like the others here, is thin enough for you to leave it on when charging the iPhone wirelessly. As it’s leather, it will change over time. The advantage of a sleeve is that you get the benefit of protection but the pleasure of feeling the phone in your hand directly when you slide it out.
Casetify Impact Case for iPhone 11 Pro
CASETIFY
Best slim protective case
Casetify’s protective case is strong but also impressively thin. The distinctive logo that inches round the camera unit looks good. The other main design note on this transparent case is the edging which comes in several colors. That colored material is a shock absorber that’s potent and impressive – Casetify says 6ft 6ins won’t trouble the phone inside. The case eases round the front edge to protect the screen a little, too. Like on Apple’s transparent case, the buttons are held so exactly inside, it’s like pressing on the phone itself.
Gear4 Crystal Palace iPhone 11
GEAR4
Best Colorful Protection
Gear4 Crystal Palace iPhone 11$39.99 Currently $23.99
Gear4 Crystal Palace iPhone 11 Pro Max $39.99 Currently $34.48
D3O is a special material which hardens when it is hit, dissipating the energy. This means that you can drop your iPhone in this case from a height of 10 feet without damage. But it’s still slim and light. The D3O sits in the edge of the case but there’s also polycarbonate and other materials which add impact protection, too. Choose from neon colors in this vibrant and well-crafted case.
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