In 2018, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) made history by becoming the first company to achieve a $1 trillion market capitalization. Fast forward to November 2023, and it’s still the world’s most valuable company, now boasting a staggering market cap of $2.72 trillion. Following closely behind are tech giants like Microsoft at $2.57 trillion, and Alphabet at $1.59 trillion, with Amazon also reaching an impressive $1.49 trillion.
The tech sector is a dominant force, with seven out of the top 10 companies hailing from this industry, all of which have outperformed the S&P 500 in the last five years. However, it’s not just tech companies making waves – other sectors like oil, insurance, healthcare, and luxury brands also have a presence in the top 20.
Remarkably, there are only four non-U.S. companies in this elite group: Saudi Arabian Oil, Novo Nordisk, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and LVMH. This underscores the enduring influence of American companies in the global market.
Top 10 companies by market cap :
- Apple
- Microsoft
- Saudi Arabian Oil
- Alphabet (Google)
- Amazon
- Nvidia
- Meta
- Berkshire Hathaway
- Tesla
- Eli Lilly
Apple :
Certainly! Here’s the provided information about Apple converted into a more structured and concise format:
- Company Name: Apple Inc.
- Market Capitalization (as of Nov. 2, 2023): $2.72 trillion
- Revenue (Trailing Twelve Months – TTM): $383.93 billion
- Gross Profit (Trailing Twelve Months – TTM): $166.82 billion
- Five-Year Annualized Return: 27.38%
- Year Founded: 1976
Key Information:
- Apple first became the world’s most valuable company on August 9, 2011, just 15 days before Steve Jobs resigned as CEO.
- Apple has held the top spot as the world’s most valuable company for the better part of a decade.
- Apple is the first company to reach market capitalizations of $1 trillion, $2 trillion, and $3 trillion.
- Apple’s success is built on the sales of popular products like the iPhone, MacBook, and AirPods.
- Apple plans to launch the Apple Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset.
- Apple has expanded into services, including its Apple TV+ streaming service.
Microsoft :
Here’s the provided information formatted more clearly:
- Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
- Ticker Symbol: MSFT
- Market Capitalization (as of Nov. 2): $2.57 trillion
- Revenue (Trailing Twelve Months – TTM): $218.31 billion
- Gross Profit (Trailing Twelve Months – TTM): $151.06 billion
- Five-Year Annualized Return: 26.66%
- Year Founded: 1975
Overview:
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is a technology company known for its Windows operating system, which is widely used, with almost 70% of computers running it according to Statcounter. In addition to Windows, Microsoft offers a diverse range of products and services that contribute to its success, including:
- Office Suite Software: Microsoft’s Office Suite includes applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, widely used for productivity and document management.
- Azure Cloud Platform: Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform that offers a wide array of cloud services, including hosting applications, managing data, and more.
- Xbox Video Game Consoles: Microsoft is well-known for its Xbox gaming consoles and related gaming services.
- Surface Computers and Tablets: The Surface brand comprises a range of laptops, tablets, and other computing devices.
Microsoft has previously held the title of the world’s largest company and briefly surpassed Apple in market capitalization in 2021, although Apple later regained the top position.
Saudi Arabian Oil :
Here is the provided information converted into a more structured format:
- Company Name: Saudi Arabian Oil (Saudi Aramco)
- Market Cap (as of Nov. 2, 2023): $2.14 trillion (Converted from Saudi riyals)
- Revenue (Trailing Twelve Months – TTM): $551.97 billion (Converted from Saudi riyals)
- Gross Profit (TTM): $283.65 billion (Converted from Saudi riyals)
- Year Founded: 1933
Overview:
Saudi Arabian Oil, commonly known as Saudi Aramco, is a prominent energy and chemicals company. It is owned by the Saudi Arabian government and holds the distinction of having the largest daily oil production and the second-largest proven crude oil reserves among all oil companies.
Performance in 2022:
In 2022, Saudi Aramco experienced significant fluctuations in its market position due to its dependency on oil prices. At one point in May, it secured the top spot in terms of market capitalization, driven by robust oil demand. However, as oil demand subsequently decreased, it was surpassed in market cap by companies like Apple and Microsoft.
Diversification Strategy:
To diversify its business portfolio, Saudi Aramco made a noteworthy investment of $500 million in September 2023 into a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company called MidOcean Energy. This strategic move demonstrates the company’s efforts to broaden its operations beyond oil and expand into other energy sectors.
Please note that the financial figures provided are converted from Saudi riyals and represent the company’s position as of November 2, 2023.
4. Alphabet (Google) :
Here’s the provided information converted into a more structured format:
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL, NASDAQ: GOOG)
- Market Cap: $1.59 trillion (as of November 2)
- Revenue (Trailing Twelve Months – TTM): $296.38 billion
- Gross Profit (TTM): $165.75 billion
- Five-Year Annualized Return: 18.74%
- Year Founded:
- Google: 1998
- Alphabet (as a holding company created through a restructuring of Google): 2015
Alphabet’s Key Products:
- Google Search Engine: Alphabet is most well-known for its Google search engine, which is synonymous with online searches.
- Email Service Gmail: Gmail is a widely used email service provided by Alphabet.
- Video Site YouTube: YouTube is a popular video-sharing platform owned by Alphabet.
- Navigation Apps:
- Waze: A navigation app known for real-time traffic and road information.
- Maps: Google Maps is another navigation app used for maps and location-based services.
- Pixel Smartphones: Alphabet also manufactures and sells Pixel smartphones.
This information provides an overview of Alphabet Inc., its financial metrics, and some of its prominent products and services.
5. Amazon :
Here’s the provided information presented in a more condensed format:
- Company: Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN)
- Market Cap (as of Nov. 2, 2023): $1.49 trillion
- Revenue (TTM): $554.03 billion
- Gross Profit (TTM): $256.20 billion
- Five-Year Annualized Return: 10.47%
- Year Founded: 1994
- Business Overview: Amazon began as an online bookstore but has since grown to become the world’s largest online retailer. It offers a wide range of products and services, including Amazon Prime with over 200 million users globally, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon Prime Video, Twitch (video game streaming), and owns Whole Foods Market.
- Legal Challenge: In September 2023, Amazon faced an antitrust lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 17 states. They allege that Amazon is a monopoly using anti-competitive practices to maintain its dominance. The outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain, but it’s expected to be a challenging legal battle for the FTC.
6. Nvidia :
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is a technology company with a market capitalization of $1.05 trillion as of November 2, 2023. The company was founded in 1993 and has since become a prominent player in the tech industry. Nvidia primarily specializes in the development and manufacturing of graphics processing units (GPUs). These GPUs were originally designed for PC graphics and video games but have gained extensive use in various other applications over the years.
Nvidia’s financial performance for the trailing twelve months (TTM) is as follows:
- Revenue: $32.68 billion
- Gross profit: $21.12 billion
The company has shown impressive growth with a five-year annualized return of 51.10%, reflecting its success and profitability in the tech industry. In recent years, Nvidia has diversified its portfolio to include applications beyond gaming and graphics. Notably, its GPUs are widely employed in the cryptocurrency mining sector, where they are used to validate crypto transactions and earn rewards by leveraging computer processing power. Additionally, Nvidia has expanded its focus into the field of artificial intelligence (AI), offering both hardware and software solutions to cater to the growing demands of AI-related applications.
In summary, Nvidia has evolved from its roots in PC gaming and graphics to become a significant player in the tech industry, with a strong market cap, substantial revenue, and a history of impressive financial performance. Its GPUs have found use in cryptocurrency mining, and the company has also ventured into AI hardware and software development.
7. Meta :
Certainly, here’s the provided information in a more concise format:
- Company Name: Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook)
- Market Cap (as of Nov. 2, 2023): $801.46 billion
- Revenue (TTM): $1216.96 billion
- Gross Profit (TTM): $101.68 billion
- Five-Year Annualized Return: 15.71%
- Year Founded: 2004
- Key Products:
- Social networks: Facebook and Instagram
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp and Messenger
- Virtual reality products: Meta Quest 2 and Oculus (acquisition)
- Primary Revenue Source: Advertising, accounting for 97.5% of revenue in 2022.
Meta Platforms, Inc. underwent a rebrand in 2021 and expressed its focus on building the metaverse, though the success of this rebrand remains uncertain.
8. Berkshire Hathaway :
Here’s the information provided in a more concise format:
- Company Name: Berkshire Hathaway
- Ticker Symbols: BRK.A (Class A shares) and BRK.B (Class B shares)
- Market Cap (as of Nov. 2, 2023): $760.42 billion
- Revenue (Trailing Twelve Months – TTM): $333.00 billion
- Gross Profit (TTM): $68.17 billion
- Five-Year Annualized Return: 11.17%
- Year Founded: 1839
Berkshire Hathaway, originally a textile company founded in 1839, is now primarily known for its association with the legendary investor Warren Buffett. Buffett started investing in Berkshire in 1962 and gained majority control in 1965. He has served as the chairman and CEO of the company since then.
Berkshire Hathaway transitioned into a holding company in 1970 and is primarily engaged in the insurance business, with ownership of one of the largest insurance companies, GEICO. Additionally, the company has diversified its investments across various industries.
9. Tesla :
Here’s the provided information converted into a more structured format:
- Company Name: Tesla
- Stock Symbol: TSLA (NASDAQ)
- Financial Data (as of Nov. 2):
- Market Cap: $653.78 billion
- Revenue (TTM – Trailing Twelve Months): $95.92 billion
- Gross Profit (TTM): $19.00 billion
- Five-Year Annualized Return: 54.86%
- Company Background:
- Year Founded: 2003
- Products and Services:
- Tesla is a leading company in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
- It manufactures and sells electric vehicles, including the world’s best-selling car, the Model Y.
- Tesla is one of the largest EV manufacturers globally, second only to China’s BYD Company.
- Besides electric vehicles, Tesla offers other products and services, such as:
- Solar Roofs
- Solar Panels
- Powerwall (an integrated battery system for storing solar energy)
10. Eli Lilly :
Here is the information provided in a more readable format:
- Company Name: Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY)
- Market Cap: $526.60 billion (as of Nov. 2)
- Revenue (TTM – Trailing Twelve Months): $32.07 billion
- Gross Profit (TTM – Trailing Twelve Months): $26.46 billion
- Five-Year Annualized Return: 40.27%
- Year Founded: 1876
Overview:
Eli Lilly, founded in 1876 by a chemist and Union Army veteran named Eli Lilly, is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. The company’s primary sources of revenue come from its diabetes drugs. Eli Lilly holds the distinction of being the first company to mass-produce insulin and the polio vaccine. Additionally, the company manufactures antidepressants, with one of its most well-known products being Prozac.
Recent Performance:
Eli Lilly has experienced significant growth in its market capitalization, with it reaching $526.60 billion as of November 2. In the past six months, the company has risen in the ranks of the largest companies, recently hitting record highs. This growth can be attributed in part to the company’s acquisitions of Sigilon Therapeutics and Versanis Bio.
