A Top Ten Largest Non-US Companies by Market Capitalisation (2024)

The impact of the world’s largest companies is far-reaching, well beyond the borders of the countries that they reside in. Often, when thinking about these companies, we are drawn to the US, with 50% of the world’s largest companies by market capitalisation originating from the US alone.

However, global markets beyond the US are increasingly drawing attention as investment destinations. It is, therefore, important for investors and traders to be aware of key information about the largest companies that originate from outside the US.

In this article, we will look at:

How do we define the largest?

We rank the size of these companies by their market capitalisation (also known as equity value), defined by multiplying the share price of a company by its total number of outstanding shares. This value provides investors/traders with information on the public’s perception of a company’s value, allowing them to make informed decisions when investing/trading.

Ten Largest non-US companies

Information on market capitalisation found at https://companiesmarketcap.com 17/09/2024

1.      Saudi Aramco (TADAWUL: 2222)(Saudi Arabia)

Notable Products: Crude oil, natural gas, Refined petroleum products, Petrochemicals.

Saudi Aramco, officially known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, with a market cap of nearly $1.753 trillion. Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil producer, playing a pivotal role in the global energy supply. The company is vertically integrated, engaging in the exploration, production, refining, distribution, shipping, and marketing of hydrocarbons, as well as the manufacturing of petrochemical products.

Founded in 1933 as a partnership between Saudi Arabia and the Standard Oil Company of California (now Chevron), Saudi Aramco has evolved into a fully state-owned enterprise since 1980. In 2019, it made history by launching the world’s largest initial public offering (IPO), listing a portion of its shares on the Tadawul, the Saudi stock exchange. Saudi Aramco continues to invest in expanding its production capacity and exploring alternative energy sources, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of both the Saudi economy and the global energy market.

2.      TSMC (TWSE: 2330, NYSE: TSM)(Taiwan)

Notable Products: Semiconductor chips, Silicon wafers, Integrated circuits.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is the world’s largest dedicated independent semiconductor foundry, manufacturing chips for major technology firms worldwide. Its advanced semiconductor technologies are integral to a wide array of electronics, including smartphones, high-performance computing devices, and automotive systems.

Founded in 1987 by Morris Chang, TSMC pioneered the pure-play foundry business model, focusing solely on manufacturing without designing its chips. This approach allowed collaboration with numerous chip designers, such as Apple, AMD, and NVIDIA. TSMC’s cutting-edge manufacturing processes, including leading-edge nodes like 5nm and 3nm technologies, position it at the forefront of the semiconductor industry, making it an indispensable player in the global technology supply chain.

3.      Novo Nordisk A/S (CPH: NOVO-B, NYSE: NVO)(Denmark)

Notable Products: Insulin and diabetes care products (NovoRapid, Levemir, Tresiba), Obesity treatments (Wegovy), Haemophilia care products, Growth hormone therapy.

Novo Nordisk is a Danish multinational healthcare company specialising in diabetes care. Novo Nordisk is a leading producer of insulin and other diabetes-related medications and devices. The company’s product lineup includes advanced insulin delivery systems and treatments for obesity, haemophilia, and growth disorders.

Founded in 1923, Novo Nordisk has nearly a century of experience in diabetes care. The company emerged from a merger between two Danish firms, both pioneers in insulin production. Novo Nordisk invests heavily in research and development to address chronic diseases, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Its commitment to innovation has established it as a key player in the global pharmaceutical industry.

4.      Tencent Holdings Ltd. (SEHK: 0700)(China)

Notable Products: WeChat, QQ, Tencent Games, Tencent Music, Tencent Cloud, online advertising services.

Tencent Holdings is a Chinese multinational conglomerate and one of the world’s largest technology companies, offering a diverse range of internet-related services and products, including social media, music, web portals, e-commerce platforms, mobile games, and payment systems.

Founded in 1998 by Pony Ma and his partners, Tencent initially gained prominence with its instant messaging service QQ. The company later launched WeChat, which has become one of the world’s most widely used mobile apps. Tencent is also a dominant force in the gaming industry, owning stakes in companies like Epic Games and Riot Games. Through its expansive ecosystem, Tencent has become integral to the daily digital lives of millions in China and has a growing international presence.

5.      LVMH (EPA: MC)(France)

Notable Products: Louis Vuitton leather goods, Moët & Chandon champagne, Hennessy cognac, Dior fashion, Bulgari jewellery, TAG Heuer watches, Sephora retail stores.

LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) is a French multinational luxury goods conglomerate valued at around $338 billion. LVMH encompasses over 70 prestigious brands across sectors like fashion and leather goods, wines and spirits, perfumes and cosmetics, watches and jewellery, and selective retailing. Its portfolio includes iconic names such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Bulgari, and Sephora.

Established in 1987 through the merger of fashion house Louis Vuitton with Moët Hennessy, LVMH has flourished under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault. The company has expanded both organically and through strategic acquisitions, cementing its status as the world’s leading luxury goods group. LVMH’s emphasis on craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation has allowed it to thrive in the competitive luxury market, appealing to affluent consumers worldwide.

6.  ASML Holding N.V (NASDAQ: ASML)(Netherlands)

Notable Products: Photolithography systems for semiconductor manufacturing, Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines.

ASML Holding is a Dutch multinational corporation and the world’s leading provider of photolithography systems for the semiconductor industry, essential for the production of integrated circuits. The company’s advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines are critical for manufacturing the most cutting-edge semiconductor chips.

Founded in 1984 as a joint venture between ASM International and Philips, ASML has become a crucial supplier to major chipmakers like Intel, TSMC, and Samsung. Its technological innovations enable the continuation of Moore’s Law by allowing the production of smaller, faster, and more power-efficient semiconductors. ASML’s dominance in EUV technology positions it as a key enabler in advancing global technology.

7.      Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KRX: 005930)(South Korea)

Notable Products: Galaxy smartphones, Televisions, Home appliances, Semiconductors, Memory chips, Displays, Laptops, Tablets.

Samsung is a South Korean multinational electronics company and a global leader in consumer electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, known for its wide range of products from smartphones and televisions to memory chips and home appliances. Its Galaxy line of smartphones competes directly with other top-tier devices globally.

Established in 1969 as a subsidiary of the Samsung Group, Samsung Electronics has grown into one of the world’s largest technology companies by revenue. The company has been at the forefront of innovation across various technology sectors, including advancements in semiconductor technology and display technologies like OLED and QLED. Samsung’s diversified business model and commitment to research and development have solidified its position as a key player in the global electronics market.

8.      Nestlé S.A. (SWX: NESN)(Switzerland)

Notable Products: Nescafé coffee, KitKat chocolate, Maggi noodles, Gerber baby food, Purina pet food, Nestlé bottled water, Carnation milk.

Nestlé is a Swiss multinational food and drink conglomerate with a market capitalisation of approximately $261 billion. Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company, offering a vast range of products including coffee, bottled water, dairy products, infant nutrition, pet care, and confectionery.

Founded in 1866 by Henri Nestlé, the company began with the development of infant cereal to combat high infant mortality rates. Over the years, Nestlé has expanded through mergers and acquisitions, incorporating numerous well-known brands into its portfolio. The company emphasises nutrition, health, and wellness, investing in research to develop products that align with changing consumer preferences and global health trends. Nestlé’s extensive global presence and diverse product range have solidified its leadership in the food and beverage industry.

9.      ICBC (SSE: 601398, HKEX: 1398)(China)

Notable Products: Corporate and personal banking services, Loans, Credit cards, Wealth management products, Electronic banking services.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is the world’s largest bank by total assets and one of the most valuable by market capitalisation, standing at approximately $259 billion. ICBC offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services to both corporate and individual clients, including commercial banking, investment banking, and asset management. Its services include deposits, loans, credit facilities, wealth management, and electronic banking platforms.

Founded in 1984, ICBC has played a pivotal role in supporting China’s economic growth and development. The bank boasts an extensive domestic network with thousands of branches across China, as well as an expanding international presence in over 40 countries. ICBC actively participates in global financing projects, including those aligned with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, thereby enhancing its influence in international markets. The bank continues to invest in financial technology and innovation, focusing on digital transformation to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

10.      SAP (FWB: SAP, NYSE: SAP)(Germany)

Notable Products: Enterprise software applications (SAP S/4HANA, SAP ERP), Cloud solutions (SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Ariba, SAP Concur), Data analytics (SAP BusinessObjects), Customer experience solutions.

SAP is a German multinational software corporation with a market capitalisation of approximately $261 billion. As one of the world’s leading providers of enterprise application software, SAP enables companies of all sizes and industries to run their businesses efficiently. Its software solutions help manage business operations and customer relations, offering tools for enterprise resource planning (ERP), analytics, supply chain management, and more.

Established in 1972 by five former IBM engineers, SAP has grown from a small venture in Weinheim, Germany, to a global powerhouse in the software industry. The company’s flagship product, SAP ERP, is widely used by organisations worldwide to streamline processes and improve data management. In recent years, SAP has focused on cloud computing and digital transformation, investing in technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics. Acquisitions such as Qualtrics have expanded its portfolio into experience management. SAP’s commitment to innovation and sustainability solidifies its position as a leader in helping businesses transition into intelligent enterprises.

Takeaways

The above introduction to the top 10 largest non-US companies by market capitalization should be used as a stepping stone for future research in order to make effective investment decisions. It is crucial to have as rich an understanding as possible of the global financial landscape before making any financial decision, to gain an understanding of the potential benefits and risks of certain non-US companies.

This information can also be especially helpful to your trading activities. By learning about global companies, you can trade, and understanding how their stocks move, you can effectively trade them on platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4). MT4 is an easy-to-use trading platform that is widely adopted by traders across the world, both beginner and advanced. Track the stocks of these companies on MT4, and trade them when you find the opportunity.

If you liked this post, you might also want to check out our other articles:

• Top 10 Largest US Companies by Market Capitalisation
• 10 Biggest UK-based Companies
• Africa’s Top-10: Leading Companies by Market Capitalisation
• Top 10 Largest Latin American Companies
• Top 10 Largest Companies in China
• Economic Powerhouses: Trillion-Dollar Companies Club

Also, we recommend you find out more about global economies with our Trader’s Guide to the 10 Major Global Economies by GDP.