Microsoft Corporation · Redmond, WA United States ·(NASDAQ (GS): MSFT)

Microsoft's ambitions are anything but small. The world's #1 software company provides a variety of products and services, including its ubiquitous Windows operating systems and Office software suite. Microsoft has expanded into markets such as video game consoles, customer relationship management applications, server and storage software, and digital music players. The company has also used selective acquisitions to bulk up its presence in markets such as online advertising, mobile devices, and enterprise software. In 2008 Microsoft made repeated efforts to acquire Yahoo! but was ultimately rebuffed; the two companies would instead sign a deal in 2009 to combine their search operations. To read the full description, subscribe now.