What are the most valuable companies in the world? How do they measure their worth? And what are the factors that influence their market value? These are some of the questions that many people ask when they want to learn more about the global economy and the business landscape. In this article, we will explore the top 10 biggest companies in the world by net worth, also known as market capitalization, as of 2023. We will also look at their main products, services, and achievements, as well as the challenges and opportunities they face in the future.
Market capitalization is the total value of all the shares of a company that are traded on the stock market. It is calculated by multiplying the number of shares by the current share price. It is one of the most common ways to measure the size and influence of a company, as it reflects the market’s perception of its potential and performance. However, it is not the only way to measure a company’s worth. Other factors, such as revenue, profit, assets, liabilities, growth, innovation, social impact, and reputation, can also affect a company’s value and ranking.
The list of the top 5 biggest companies in the world by market capitalization is based on the data from CompaniesMarketCap.com and Statista, as of December 4, 2023. The list may change over time, as the market conditions and the share prices fluctuate. Therefore, this article is only a snapshot of the current situation, and not a definitive or comprehensive ranking.
The Top 5 Biggest Companies in the World by Net Worth in 2023
Here are the top 5 biggest companies in the world by market capitalization, as of 2023:
- Apple (U.S.): $2.991 trillion
- Apple is the world’s largest technology company, known for its innovative products and services, such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Music, iCloud, and the App Store. Apple is also expanding into new areas, such as streaming, gaming, health, education, and finance, with offerings like Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and Apple Pay. Apple is widely regarded as one of the most influential and valuable brands in the world, with loyal customers and fans across the globe.
- Microsoft (U.S.): $2.741 trillion
- Microsoft is the world’s second-largest technology company, and a leader in software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, gaming, and hardware. Microsoft’s core products and services include Windows, Office, Azure, Bing, LinkedIn, Skype, Xbox, Surface, and HoloLens. Microsoft is also investing in emerging technologies, such as quantum computing, mixed reality, and blockchain, as well as social causes, such as education, health, and environmental sustainability.
- Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia): $2.128 trillion
- Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil and gas company, and the most profitable company in history. Saudi Aramco produces, refines, and exports crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products, and operates the world’s largest oil reserves and production capacity. Saudi Aramco is also involved in petrochemicals, power generation, renewable energy, and research and development. Saudi Aramco went public in 2019, in the world’s largest initial public offering (IPO), raising $25.6 billion and valuing the company at $1.7 trillion.
- Alphabet (U.S.): $1.635 trillion
- Alphabet is the parent company of Google, the world’s largest internet company, and several other subsidiaries, such as YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Cloud, Google Ads, Google Play, Waymo, Verily, Calico, and DeepMind. Alphabet’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful, through its search engine, online platforms, and innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and self-driving cars. Alphabet is also committed to social responsibility, through its philanthropic arm, Google.org, and its moonshot factory, X.
- Amazon (U.S.): $1.493 trillion
- Amazon is the world’s largest e-commerce company, and a pioneer in online retail, delivery, and marketplace. Amazon’s main offerings include Amazon.com, Amazon Prime, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle, Audible, Alexa, and Whole Foods. Amazon is also diversifying into new domains, such as streaming, gaming, health, education, and space, with products and services like Prime Video, Prime Music, Twitch, Amazon Pharmacy, Amazon Care, Amazon Academy, and Blue Origin. Amazon is known for its customer-centricity, innovation, and disruption, as well as its controversial labor practices and environmental impact.
top 10 companies by revenue
The top 10 companies by revenue in 2023 are:
| Rank | Name | Industry | Revenue (USD millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walmart | Retail | 611,289 |
| 2 | Saudi Aramco | Oil and gas | 603,651 |
| 3 | State Grid Corporation of China | Electricity | 530,009 |
| 4 | Amazon | Retail | 513,983 |
| 5 | Vitol | Commodities | 505,000 |
| 6 | China National Petroleum Corporation | Oil and gas | 483,019 |
| 7 | China Petrochemical Corporation | Oil and gas | 471,154 |
| 8 | ExxonMobil | Oil and gas | 413,680 |
| 9 | Apple | Electronics | 394,328 |
| 10 | Shell | Oil and gas | 386,201 |