The Oldest Publicly Traded Companies in the US

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Historic New York Stock Exchange building facade captured in a vintage style.
Credit: pexels.com, Historic New York Stock Exchange building facade captured in a vintage style.

The Oldest Publicly Traded Companies in the US have a rich history, with some dating back to the early days of American business.

Procter & Gamble, founded in 1837, is one of the oldest publicly traded companies in the US, with a history spanning over 180 years.

The company has been a household name for generations, with iconic brands like Tide and Pampers.

Coca-Cola, founded in 1886, is another iconic brand that has been publicly traded since 1919.

This beverage giant has been a staple in American culture, with its distinctive bottle design and memorable advertising campaigns.

Oldest Publicly Traded Companies

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is one of the oldest publicly traded companies, founded in 1792. It's a testament to its enduring legacy that the exchange remains operational to this day, despite the format of exchange changing over time.

The NYSE has been around for nearly two and a half centuries, which is a remarkable feat considering many of the companies listed on the exchange no longer exist.

Statistics and Outlook

Credit: youtube.com, Publicly Listed Companies by Country (1975-2025) | Historical Timeline

According to a report by the Bank of Korea, there were 5,586 companies older than 200 years across 41 countries. Most of these companies, 3,146 to be exact, are located in Japan.

A staggering 56% of companies older than 200 years are found in Japan, with Germany coming in second at 15%. The Netherlands and France also have a significant number of these long-standing companies, with 222 and 196 respectively.

Most companies with more than 100 years of history employ fewer than 300 people, a remarkable 89% to be precise. A nationwide Japanese survey counted over 21,000 companies older than 100 years as of September 30, 2009.

Statistics

A staggering 5,586 companies around the world have made it to the 200-year mark, with Japan leading the pack at 56% of the total.

Most of these long-lived companies are small in scale, with 89% employing fewer than 300 people.

Japan's impressive record of longevity is matched by its sheer numbers, with over 21,000 companies older than 100 years as of 2009.

Company Outlook

Credit: youtube.com, Business Outlook (9AM) | ANC (20 January 2025)

The outlook for companies can be a bit bleak, especially for old ones. A study by the International Institute for Management Development and McKinsey found the average life-span of companies listed on the S&P in 1958 was 61 years.

Companies are living shorter lives than they used to. Nearly 60 years later, the average life-span was 18 years.

It's not necessarily that old companies can't thrive, but history may indicate it's more difficult. This is a case-by-case basis, so it's hard to make a blanket statement.

The statistics are pretty striking. Companies are now living about one-third of the time they were in the past.

This change in life-span could be due to a variety of factors, but it's worth noting that companies are facing more competition and challenges than ever before.

Notable Companies

Some of the oldest publicly traded companies are household names, and it's fascinating to see how they've stood the test of time. Kongo Gumi Co., Ltd. has been around since 578 AD, making it over 1,440 years old.

Kongo Gumi Co., Ltd. is a Japanese construction company that has been family-owned for 40 generations.

Kongo Gumi Co., Ltd. has been a publicly traded company since 1943, and it's still family-owned today.

Seven NYSE Companies

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Seven NYSE Companies are household names, with a significant presence in various industries.

Apple is one of the largest NYSE companies, with a market capitalization of over $2 trillion.

Amazon is another tech giant, with a market capitalization of over $1 trillion.

Microsoft has a market capitalization of over $2 trillion, making it one of the largest companies in the world.

Google's parent company, Alphabet, has a market capitalization of over $1 trillion.

Johnson & Johnson is a leading healthcare company, with a market capitalization of over $1 trillion.

Coca-Cola is a well-known beverage company, with a market capitalization of over $250 billion.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Largest Trade Credit Insurance Companies

JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase has its roots tracing back to 1799, shortly after the founding of the country, when it was known as the Manhattan Company, founded by Aaron Burr.

This company was a significant player in the banking industry, and its legacy continues to this day.

Colleen Pouros

Senior Copy Editor

Colleen Pouros is a seasoned copy editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for precision. With a career spanning over two decades, she has honed her skills in refining complex concepts and presenting them in a clear, concise manner. Her expertise spans a wide range of topics, including the intricacies of the banking system and the far-reaching implications of its failures.

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