15 Largest Companies by Market Cap in 2024

·

The global stock market landscape in 2024 is dominated by a powerful mix of technology innovators, healthcare pioneers, energy giants, and financial powerhouses. The most commonly used metric to assess a company’s size and influence is market capitalization—calculated by multiplying a company’s current stock price by its total number of outstanding shares. This figure reflects investor confidence, long-term stability, and market leadership.

As of August 2024, the 15 largest companies by market cap represent trillions in combined value and span industries from AI and semiconductors to pharmaceuticals and retail. These corporations aren’t just leaders in revenue or workforce size—they’re shaping the future of innovation, consumer behavior, and global finance.

👉 Discover how top-performing companies are driving the next wave of investment growth.

What Is Market Capitalization?

Market capitalization, or “market cap,” is more than just a number—it’s a signal of maturity, scalability, and investor trust. High-market-cap companies are typically well-established, with strong balance sheets, consistent revenue streams, and resilience during economic fluctuations.

While market cap doesn’t directly measure profitability or employee count, it does reflect how much the market values a company’s future potential. For investors, these large-cap stocks often serve as the backbone of diversified portfolios due to their relative stability and long-term growth prospects.

The 15 Largest Companies by Market Cap in 2024

1. Apple (AAPL) – $3.37 Trillion

Apple remains the world’s most valuable company, reclaiming the top spot in June 2024 after launching Apple Intelligence, its AI-powered personal assistant system that integrates ChatGPT into Siri and writing tools. This strategic move solidified its position not only as a tech giant but also as a leading force in artificial intelligence.

Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple continues to dominate through its ecosystem of hardware (iPhone, iPad, Mac), software (iOS, macOS), services (Apple Music, iCloud), and emerging ventures like augmented reality with the Vision Pro headset.

2. Microsoft (MSFT) – $3.04 Trillion

Microsoft has held a top-three position for decades. A leader in operating systems (Windows), productivity software (Office 365), cloud computing (Azure), and gaming (Xbox), the company is now heavily investing in AI infrastructure.

Despite a brief service disruption caused by a DDoS attack on Azure in July 2024, Microsoft pushed forward with AI innovation by introducing new PCs equipped with Neural Processing Units (NPUs), enabling on-device AI processing without relying solely on cloud resources.

3. NVIDIA (NVDA) – $2.64 Trillion

NVIDIA’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Once known primarily for gaming GPUs, it now powers the backbone of modern AI development. With an estimated 70% to 95% market share in AI training chips, NVIDIA’s hardware is essential for companies like OpenAI (creator of ChatGPT).

In July 2024, NVIDIA partnered with Meta to launch Llama 3.1 via its AI Foundry platform—helping enterprises build custom large language models. A 10:1 stock split in June made shares more accessible to retail investors.

4. Alphabet (GOOG) – $2.06 Trillion

Alphabet, parent company of Google, continues to dominate digital ecosystems. Google Search holds over 95% of the global mobile search market, while YouTube, Gmail, Chrome, and Android extend its reach across devices and platforms.

In early 2024, Alphabet launched Gemini 1.5, its advanced AI model, and introduced generative AI Overviews in Google Search. These innovations helped its cloud division surpass $10 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time—a major milestone.

5. Saudi Aramco (2222.SR) – $1.77 Trillion

As the world’s largest oil producer, Saudi Aramco controls an estimated 259 billion barrels of oil and gas reserves—more than ten times that of ExxonMobil. Owned by the Saudi government, the energy giant plays a pivotal role in global energy supply and geopolitical stability.

Despite increasing focus on renewables worldwide, Aramco's massive reserves and low production costs keep it among the most valuable companies globally.

6. Amazon (AMZN) – $1.76 Trillion

Amazon’s dual engine—e-commerce and Amazon Web Services (AWS)—continues to drive growth. While its online retail platform remains dominant globally, AWS is fueling expansion through cloud-based AI tools and machine learning solutions.

In February 2024, Amazon joined the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), replacing Walgreens—a recognition of its enduring economic significance.

👉 See how cloud innovation is reshaping investment opportunities in real time.

7. Meta Platforms (META) – $1.23 Trillion

Meta has pivoted aggressively toward AI integration across its platforms—Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. In 2024, it launched free AI chatbots on WhatsApp and introduced labeling for AI-generated content to promote transparency.

The company continues investing in the metaverse through Quest VR headsets while expanding multilingual Meta AI features across social apps.

8. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) – $922.79 Billion

Led by Warren Buffett since 1970, Berkshire Hathaway is a diversified holding company with interests in insurance (Geico), railroads (BNSF), energy, manufacturing, and finance. Its conservative investment philosophy has made it a symbol of long-term value investing.

Though not a tech innovator itself, Berkshire holds stakes in major American corporations like Apple and Bank of America.

9. TSMC (TSM) – $777.18 Billion

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is the world’s most important chipmaker. It produces advanced semiconductors used in smartphones, PCs, data centers, and AI systems—including chips for Apple and NVIDIA.

In 2024, TSMC began construction on its first European plant and expanded operations in Arizona—part of a global push to diversify semiconductor supply chains amid rising geopolitical tensions.

10. Eli Lilly (LLY) – $724.33 Billion

Eli Lilly has surged in value due to breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals—particularly diabetes and weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Zepbound. On July 2, 2024, the FDA approved Kisunla™ (donanemab) for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease—a potential game-changer in neurodegenerative treatment.

With strong R&D pipelines and growing demand for metabolic health solutions, Eli Lilly is now one of the most valuable healthcare companies globally.

11. Broadcom (AVGO) – $669.46 Billion

Broadcom designs semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions used in networking, storage, and data centers. Its acquisition of VMware boosted enterprise software revenue, while ongoing demand for AI-related chips drives semiconductor sales.

Like NVIDIA and Apple, Broadcom executed a 10:1 stock split in July 2024 to improve accessibility for individual investors.

12. Tesla (TSLA) – $663.43 Billion

Tesla remains the leader in electric vehicles with nearly 50% U.S. market share despite a slight sales dip in Q2 2024. Beyond EVs, Tesla is a major player in solar energy and battery storage solutions like Powerwall and Megapack.

While facing increased competition from legacy automakers entering the EV space, Tesla’s brand strength and battery technology maintain its premium valuation.

13. Novo Nordisk (NVO) – $569.20 Billion

Novo Nordisk became Europe’s most valuable company in 2023 thanks to the explosive success of Ozempic and Wegovy—GLP-1 drugs used for diabetes and weight management. Demand continues to outpace supply globally.

However, controversy emerged when the company announced plans to discontinue Levemir insulin in the U.S., drawing scrutiny from lawmakers and patient advocacy groups.

14. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) – $566.57 Billion

As the largest bank in the U.S., JPMorgan Chase offers consumer banking, investment services, asset management, and corporate finance solutions. With around $3.4 trillion in assets as of 2023, it plays a central role in global finance.

In Q2 2024, strong performance led to warnings about potential new banking fees affecting up to 86 million customers—driven by federal regulations capping overdraft charges.

15. Walmart (WMT) – $550.66 Billion

Walmart is the world’s largest retailer by revenue and employer by workforce size. With over 8,500 stores worldwide and a growing e-commerce presence (6.3% U.S. market share), Walmart leverages scale to offer low prices.

In late Q3 2024, it began rolling out electronic shelf labels capable of updating prices every ten seconds—allowing dynamic pricing based on weather patterns or product freshness.

Key Investment Considerations

Before investing in any large-cap company, consider more than just market cap:

How to Invest in Large-Cap Stocks

Many large-cap stocks trade at high per-share prices—Apple shares exceed $200—but fractional shares allow investors to buy portions of stock with minimal capital. Additionally:

Investing in an S&P 500 index fund provides exposure to all major U.S.-listed large-cap companies with built-in diversification.

This approach reduces risk while still capturing gains from industry leaders.

👉 Start building your portfolio with access to top-tier global assets today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most valuable company in the world?

As of August 2024, Apple holds the title with a market cap of $3.37 trillion—driven by its ecosystem strength and recent advancements in artificial intelligence.

Which company has the highest revenue?

Walmart generates the highest annual revenue among these firms but ranks lower in market cap due to differences between profitability perception and investor sentiment.

Are tech companies dominating market cap rankings?

Yes—seven of the top 15 are tech or tech-adjacent firms (Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Alphabet, TSMC, Broadcom, Amazon). Their influence stems from innovation speed and scalability in digital markets.

Can healthcare companies maintain high valuations?

Absolutely—Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have seen massive growth due to demand for weight-loss and chronic disease treatments. Continued medical breakthroughs will support sustained investor interest.

Why does market cap matter for investors?

Market cap reflects stability and liquidity. Large-cap stocks tend to be less volatile than small-cap ones and are often included in major indices like the S&P 500—making them ideal for long-term wealth building.

Is Saudi Aramco publicly traded?

Yes—Saudi Aramco trades on Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul Stock Exchange under the ticker 2222.SR and is partially open to foreign investors.

Core Keywords: market cap companies | largest companies by market cap | top AI companies | semiconductor leaders | healthcare innovation | S&P 500 investing | tech giants | stock investment guide