Seattle-based Microsoft is the largest computer software company on the Fortune 500 – with revenues topping one-hundred-ten-BILLION. And earlier this year, the tech giant’s market cap reached one-TRILLION-dollars. It’s only the third U-S company to hit that milestone… Apple did it first, followed by Amazon. So what’s Microsoft doing with all that cash? Buying houses.

In case you haven’t heard… five-G is coming to a smartphone near you. Why should you care? The short answer - speed. As in data speeds fast enough to download your favorite Netflix series in about three minutes instead of three hours! But as Qualcomm’s C-E-O, Steve Mollenkopf, told Fortune on the Brainstorm Tech stage in July – the BIGGEST benefits of five-G will be enjoyed by carriers, not consumers.

You may think Land O’ Lakes is all about the butter… but this Fortune 500 company has a lot going on beyond the dairy aisle. The country’s best-selling butter brand also produces animal feed, develops soybean seeds and feeds pets through its Purina brand. Founded in 19-21, Land O’ Lakes is a farmer-owned co-op. This unique structure keeps the company focused on its farmers.

Medicare For All has become a hot topic on the 20-20 campaign trail. As Democrats battle for their party’s nomination, they agree that America’s health care system needs improvements. But they can’t agree on how to change it. The proposals range from building on what already exists, to completely overhauling the system. Medicare for All would be a complete overhaul. It calls for shifting Americans to a national insurance program controlled by the federal government.

The shadow of America’s trade war with China is falling across plenty of companies. But at the moment it doesn’t seem to be touching Procter and Gamble - the corporate giant that stocks our shelves with Tide, Cascade, Crest, Old Spice and many many other household products. The company’s fiscal year ended June 30th, and it reported its biggest sales gains since the recession in 2008.

When the C-E-O of Charles Schwab - Walt Bettinger - walked on stage at Fortune’s Brainstorm Finance conference this June, he quickly noted that he was overdressed in his suit and tie. But he dismissed the idea that his brokerage firm only appeals to an older suit-and-tie crowd. SOT 9:33 About 53% of our new-to-firm households are millennials. And we bring in of course close to half a million new households every year, adding to a base that measured in many millions.

One specialty retailer on this year’s Fortune 500 has been steadily climbing the list for the last decade. And it might not be one you’d expect. Coming in at number 1-19 is Dollar General --the discount retailer where you can buy a huge variety of items - from a box of Cheerios to a pair of earbuds--all for a sweet deal. Since 2000-9, it’s jumped a total of a hundred-and-40 spots up the Fortune 500. Today, Dollar General is the largest U.S.

Record heat waves are sweeping through the country this summer… putting those A-C units to the test and keeping utility companies on their toes. Founded in 19-04, Duke Energy is one of the nation’s largest utility companies. It provides electric and natural gas power to more than nine-million customers across the Southeast and Midwest. And with revenues topping 24-billion – Duke is one of the top utility companies on the Fortune 500 – landing at number one-twenty-six.

If there is a science to success – number one-twenty-four on the Fortune 500 has the formula. Thermo Fisher Scientific – the ONLY company in the scientific equipment category on the list – saw revenues AND profits bubble up by double digits this year. The company is the world’s leading manufacturer of scientific instruments, equipment and software. It’s lab-based science with real world applications.

Remember when GAP sweatshirts were all the rage? Back in the 19-90’s, teens, parents – even celebrities – were wearing those hoodies with the three-letter-logo across the front. But since then, GAP has lost some of its cool factor – sales have slipped and it’s down five spots to number 100-86 on the 500. It’s now in the process of closing two-hundred-and-thirty stores. Meanwhile, Old Navy - its younger and trendier sibling – has taken center stage.