100 largest companies’ value reaches an all-time high
The one hundred largest listed companies’ stock market capitalization has grown by 48% between March 2020 and March 2021. Thus, it is not only recovering the ground lost by the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, it reached an all-time high of $31.7 trillion.
According to the Global Top 100 report prepared by the consulting firm PwC, the substantial rise in the stock market of large world companies during this period has been supported by the stimulus policies of governments and central banks.
Ninety-nine of the one hundred largest listed companies worldwide have seen their stock market value grow since March last year. The only exception has been China Mobile.
The recovery extends to all the sectors. However, technology and electronic commerce remain the most relevant in terms of market capitalization.
In addition, this sector is the second that has grown the most after raw materials.
Apple outperforms Aramco and regains the first position
Six of the top seven companies by capitalization are in the tech and e-commerce arena. These are Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Facebook, and Tencent.
The ranking is headed by Apple, which regained the first position. Saudi Aramco went from first place to second. Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet followed it.
US companies top the list. Seven of the top ten places are for US companies: Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Facebook, Tesla, and Berkshire Hathaway.
Only three of those top ten have another nationality, Saudi Aramco and Chinese Tencent, and Alibaba.
US companies have been the ones that have grown the most on the stock market, by 57%, compared to a 42% gain of Chinese companies and an 18% increase of European companies.
US firms accumulate 65% of the total value of the 100 largest companies in the world by capitalization.
The evolution of Tesla stands out. It has surged by 565% and has gone from position 84 to 18 in the ranking.
The first European company on the list, the French LVMH, is in 20th place.
The German car group Volkswagen has increased its capitalization by 165% and is back in the Top 100 after two years.
