Top Publicly Traded Companies in the World Today

The world of publicly traded companies is vast and fascinating.

The largest publicly traded company in the world is Saudi Aramco, with a market value of over $2 trillion.

Apple, another tech giant, holds the second spot with a market value of over $2 trillion as well.

These companies have made significant contributions to the global economy and have become household names.

Their market values are staggering, and it's no wonder they're among the top publicly traded companies in the world today.

Market capitalization, or market cap, is a key indicator that provides a snapshot of a company's current financial standing. It's calculated by multiplying the company's share price by its total number of outstanding shares.

A company's market capitalization is equal to the total value of its outstanding shares. This means that if a company has a $10 stock with 1 billion shares outstanding, its market cap would be $10 billion.

Market cap is used to measure what a company is worth at a given time. This information is crucial for investors and analysts to assess a company's value and make informed decisions.

The total market value of a company's outstanding shares can be calculated by multiplying the share price by the total number of outstanding shares. This calculation gives a clear picture of a company's worth.

Market capitalization provides a snapshot of a company's current financial standing, its comparative worth, and its broader influence on the market and economy. It also offers insights into a company's potential risks and rewards.

As of December 13, 2024, there are several companies that have reached the coveted trillion-dollar market cap.

Apple is the biggest company in North America, with a market cap of $3.56 trillion. This is a staggering number, and it's no wonder Apple is a household name.

Market capitalization is the total market value of a publicly traded company's outstanding shares of stock. It's calculated by multiplying the company's share price by its total number of outstanding shares.

The influence of trillion-dollar companies extends far beyond their industry borders. They hold a disproportionate impact on major stock market indices like the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and NASDAQ.

Here are some of the top trillion-dollar companies:

These companies are not just industry leaders, they're also innovation leaders, with a commitment to research and development that sets the pace for technological breakthroughs and industry standards.

Nvidia is a semiconductor company that crossed the trillion-dollar mark in May 2023. Its shares have skyrocketed, up over 170 percent year to date in 2024.

The company's revenue for fiscal 2023 was about $27 billion. Nvidia is expected to top $120 billion in sales in 2024.

Its shares ended 2023 up a remarkable 246 percent from the start of the year.

The world's largest employers are a fascinating topic. Walmart tops the list with an impressive 2.10 million employees.

Amazon is a close second, with a workforce of 1.53 million. This is a significant number, considering the company's relatively recent expansion into various sectors.

Accenture's employee count is substantial, with 774,000 people on its payroll. This is a testament to the company's growth and success in the consulting industry.

BYD Co. and Volkswagen round out the top five, with 703,500 and 684,025 employees, respectively.

Here is a list of the world's largest employers by number of employees:

As we explore the world of notable companies, let's take a look at the biggest companies by continent. Apple is the largest company in North America, with a market cap of $3.56 trillion as of October 15, 2024.

The company with the largest market cap in South America is MercadoLibre, with a market cap of $103.01 billion. This is a significant player in the region, and its influence can be seen in various aspects of the economy.

In Europe, Novo Nordisk holds the top spot with a market cap of $519.03 billion. This Danish pharmaceutical company has been a leader in the industry for many years, and its success is a testament to its innovative approach.

Here's a list of the biggest companies by continent:

The largest company in Asia is the Saudi Arabian Oil Co., with a market cap of $1.75 trillion. This is a significant player in the global energy market, and its influence can be seen in various aspects of the economy.

In Africa, International Breweries holds the top spot with a market cap of $41.87 billion. This is a notable player in the region, and its success is a testament to its innovative approach.

The largest company in Oceania is the Commonwealth Bank, with a market cap of $156.04 billion. This Australian bank has been a leader in the industry for many years, and its success is a testament to its innovative approach.

Microsoft is a global developer and licenser of software, devices, and services. The company is well known for its Windows and Office Suite software as well as its Xbox gaming hardware.

Microsoft generated nearly $212 billion in sales during its 2023 fiscal year. It closed its $69 billion acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard in October 2023.

The company is gaining more of its profits and revenue from cloud computing services, for which it is a market leader. Microsoft has also made a big play in artificial intelligence (AI), integrating it into its search and Office products, among other applications.

Microsoft's Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella wrote in the company's 2023 annual report, "Every customer solution area and every layer of our tech stack will be reimagined for the AI era. And that’s exactly what we’ve already begun to do."

Here are Microsoft's key statistics:

The company was founded in 1975 and is listed on the Nasdaq exchange.

Berkshire Hathaway is a massive conglomerate with a market cap of $986.9 billion and a stock price of $457.90. It's a company that's been around for a long time, with a history dating back to 1839.

Berkshire Hathaway is run by the legendary investor Warren Buffett, who has transformed the company into a holding company with interests in various industries. These include insurance, railroads, retailing, and manufacturing.

The company has a diverse portfolio of investments, with stakes in well-known companies like Apple, Coca-Cola, and American Express. Berkshire Hathaway's investment strategy has paid off, with a 1-year trailing total return of 31.38%.

Here are some key facts about Berkshire Hathaway:

With such a large market cap and a diverse portfolio, Berkshire Hathaway is a company to watch in the business world.

Microsoft has a market capitalization of over $2 trillion, making it one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world.

The company was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, and has since grown to become a leader in the tech industry.

Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, and has a workforce of over 180,000 employees worldwide.

Alphabet is the parent company of Google, with a market cap of $2.05 trillion and a stock price of $191.38. It generates the majority of its revenue from online advertising.

The company offers a range of technologies and digital services, including search, the Android smartphone operating system, the Chrome browser, and Gmail email services. Alphabet's revenue for the most recent 12 months is $327.96 billion.

Alphabet has a net income of $87.66 billion for the most recent 12 months, with a 1-year trailing total return of 19.44%. The company is listed on the Nasdaq exchange and was founded in 1998.

Here are some key details about Alphabet:

TSMC is a giant in the semiconductor industry, with a market cap of $1.04 trillion and a stock price of $200.99.

The company is based in Taiwan and has a dominant position in manufacturing advanced chips for clients like Nvidia and Apple.

TSMC's clients are numerous, with over 528 clients worldwide, including major tech companies like Apple, Intel, and Qualcomm.

The company's revenue is substantial, with a 1-year Trailing Total Return of 90.00%.

Here are some key stats about TSMC:

TSMC has a long history, founded in 1987, and has been growing steadily ever since.

Nvidia (NVDA) is a semiconductor company that designs and develops graphics processors and related software. It was a pioneer in the development of the graphics processing unit (GPU), primarily used for PC graphics and video games.

Nvidia's share price rocketed in 2024, thanks mainly to its big exposure to the AI boom. This rally has significantly increased its market cap and led it to jostle throughout the year for the top spot with Apple and Microsoft.

Nvidia has a market cap of $3.23 trillion, making it one of the largest companies in the world. Its revenue for the trailing 12 months (TTM) is $96.31 billion, and its net income for the TTM is $53.01 billion.

Here are some key statistics about Nvidia:

Nvidia generated about $27 billion in revenue during its fiscal 2023 and is expected to top $120 billion in sales in 2024.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B) is a massive conglomerate with a market cap of $996.87 billion.

The company has a long history, dating back to 1839 when it was founded through the merger of two regional textile companies.

Berkshire Hathaway's investment portfolio includes stakes in well-known companies like Apple, Coca-Cola, American Express, and Chevron.

The company's revenue for the trailing 12 months (TTM) is $370.11 billion, with a net income of $67.86 billion during the same period.

Here are some key statistics about Berkshire Hathaway:

Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, based in Indianapolis, Ind.

The company was founded in 1876 and has a market cap of $868.04 billion.

Lilly researches, develops, manufactures, and markets pharmaceuticals for the global market, focusing on diabetes, oncology, immunology, and neuroscience.

Its product lines also cater to health markets, offering treatments for COVID-19, male sexual dysfunction, and osteoporosis in menopausal women.

The company's revenue for the trailing 12 months (TTM) is $38.92 billion, and its net income for the same period is $7.34 billion.

Lilly's 1-year trailing total return is a significant 49.48%, making it an attractive investment option for some.

The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).