List of public corporations by market capitalization over time and size

Let's take a look at how the market capitalization of public corporations has changed over time. The largest public corporations by market capitalization are dominated by tech giants, with Apple being the largest, followed by Microsoft and Amazon.

The biggest change in the list of public corporations by market capitalization is the rise of tech companies. In 2000, the top 5 companies were Exxon, General Motors, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and IBM, with Microsoft being the largest.

Tech companies have continued to grow in size, with the market capitalization of the top 5 companies increasing by over 10 times since 2000. This is a significant shift from the past, where energy and finance companies dominated the list.

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Apple's market value fluctuated significantly in 2013, reaching a high of $504,770.8 in the fourth quarter.

In the first quarter, Apple was not ranked number one, but by the second quarter, it had taken the top spot with a market value of $415,683.3. This was replaced by ExxonMobil in the third quarter, but Apple regained the lead in the fourth quarter.

Here are some key market capitalization milestones for the top 5 companies in the fourth quarter of 2013:

The fluctuating market values of these top companies demonstrate the dynamic nature of the stock market.

In 2003, the top 10 companies by market capitalization were dominated by US-based corporations.

Microsoft took the top spot with a market value of $264,003 million.

General Electric ranked second, with a market value of $259,647 million.

ExxonMobil ranked third, with a market value of $241,037 million.

Walmart ranked fourth, with a market value of $234,399 million.

Pfizer ranked fifth, with a market value of $195,948 million.

Citigroup ranked sixth, with a market value of $183,887 million.

Johnson & Johnson ranked seventh, with a market value of $170,417 million.

Royal Dutch Shell, with operations in the Netherlands and the UK, ranked eighth, with a market value of $149,034 million.

BP ranked ninth, with a market value of $144,381 million.

IBM ranked tenth, with a market value of $139,272 million.

Here's a snapshot of the top 10 companies by market capitalization in 2003:

Nvidia was the first company to reach a market capitalization of $1 trillion, achieving this milestone on May 30, 2023.

Microsoft followed closely behind, reaching $1 trillion on April 25, 2019.

Apple became the third company to break the $1 trillion barrier, achieving this feat on August 2, 2018.

Alphabet, Amazon, and Saudi Aramco have also reached this milestone, with Alphabet reaching $1 trillion on January 16, 2020, Amazon on September 4, 2018, and Saudi Aramco on December 11, 2019.

The record market cap for Nvidia was $5.06 trillion, set on June 5, 2024.

Microsoft's record market cap was $4.01 trillion, set on January 24, 2024.

Apple's record market cap was $3.94 trillion, set on January 3, 2022.

Here is a list of companies that have reached a market capitalization of $1 trillion:

NVIDIA Corp has been a trillion-dollar company since May 30, 2023, with its record market cap value reaching $4.44 trillion on June 5, 2024.

Microsoft has also reached the milestone, with its market cap exceeding $1 trillion on April 25, 2019, and reaching a record value of $4.01 trillion on January 24, 2024.

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Apple Inc has been a trillion-dollar company since August 2, 2018, with its record market cap value reaching $3.94 trillion on December 26, 2024.

Alphabet Inc, the parent company of Google, has also reached the coveted market cap, with its record value reaching $3.01 trillion on September 15, 2025.

Here are some of the notable companies that have reached or surpassed the $1 trillion market cap, as of March 31, 2024:

These companies have achieved significant milestones in the market, and their record market cap values are a testament to their growth and success.

Publicly traded companies make up the majority of the list. Companies with a free float of at least 15% are included, while investment companies are excluded.

The market capitalization figures are in USD millions, giving a clear indication of the companies' value. This figure is crucial in determining the company's size and influence.

Some companies, like Microsoft, have a significant lead in market capitalization. Microsoft's market capitalization reached $1,062,000 in the third quarter, making it the highest value among publicly traded companies.

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Investment companies, such as Berkshire Hathaway, also have a notable presence on the list. Berkshire Hathaway's market capitalization was $508,530 in the third quarter, ranking it fifth among publicly traded companies.

Here's a list of the top 5 publicly traded companies by market capitalization in the fourth quarter:

The financial significance of trillion-dollar companies can't be overstated. They have a disproportionate impact on major stock market indices like the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and NASDAQ.

Their performance can shift the financial markets considerably, affecting investor sentiment, portfolio values, and even macroeconomic indicators. This means that even small changes in these companies' stocks can have a ripple effect on the entire market.

Company size is often measured by market capitalization, the total value of all the company's shares in the market. The top three global companies by this measure are Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft, each with market caps of over $3 trillion.

Technology companies rank among the most valuable companies in the world today. This is a stark reminder of the rapid growth and innovation happening in the tech industry.

U.S.-based companies fill most top slots, with Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft being among the top three.

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