The net profits of the American tech giant group known as GAFAM reached approximately $300 billion during the 12 months ending on September 30, 2021, after generating revenue of $1.35 trillion. This occurred as companies such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft significantly benefited from the boom in the digital economy since the onset of the pandemic, showcasing substantial financial strength during this period. Compared to the previous 12 months, their profits surged, with Microsoft's profits rising by over 43%, Amazon's by more than 51%, Meta (formerly Facebook) growing by 59%, and Apple seeing a 65% increase in profits. Alphabet (Google's parent company) experienced the highest growth at 98%.
While the enormous sums these companies generate seem detached from everyday reality, the German data company "Statista" reshaped the tech giants' profits into a shorter timeframe for comparison, focusing on profits per second. Based on Apple's net profits from October 2020 to September 2021, the iPhone maker achieved an astonishing $3,000 in profits per second during this period, allowing it to retain its throne as the most profitable company in the world this year. Alphabet and Microsoft followed as they each earned $2,239 and $2,153 per second, respectively. Meta ranked fourth with $1,278 per second, while Amazon earned $833 per second.
In comparison, notable vaccine companies that have benefited from patent approvals this year and significantly boosted their profits are projected to have combined profits of $1,000 per second for 2021 before tax deductions.
