Despite slipping down the order slightly, three Swiss companies have been ranked among the 100 most valuable in the world, according to the latest study from EY. By their calculations, the top 100 firms reached an all-time record valuation at the end of June 2024. 

Top 100 global companies worth over 40 billion dollars

According to the report, the 100 top international companies have seen their valuations increase by a whopping 6 trillion US dollars in the last six months, reaching a total of 42,3 trillion dollars by the end of June. For reference, 42,3 trillion dollars (roughly 38 trillion francs) would be enough money to fund the Swiss federal government for 469 years.

The top of the ranking was dominated by technology firms, with Microsoft placing first with a valuation of 3,3 trillion US dollars. They were followed closely by Apple (3,2 trillion), chip manufacturer Nvidia (3 trillion) and Alphabet, the parent company of Google (2,2 trillion). 

Europe falling behind the US thanks to AI and tech boom

As a result of the AI and tech boom, Europe’s importance in the global market has continued to wane. Before the global financial crisis, in 2007 46 of the top 100 most valuable companies in the world were based in Europe. Today, it is just 19.

EY Switzerland managing partner Stefan Rösch-Rütsche noted that "the majority of the most valuable companies in Europe and Switzerland are not active in the technology sector, so they have not benefited to the same extent from the stock market euphoria for technology stocks triggered by the mega-topic of artificial intelligence." As a result, America is now dominant, with US firms occupying 61 places in the top 100.

Nestlé, Roche and Novartis among the 100 most valuable companies

In mid-2024, Switzerland was found to be home to three of the 100 most valuable firms, the joint-fifth most in the world alongside India and behind the US (60), China and Hong Kong (10), United Kingdom (5) and France (4). The top three Swiss companies have a total valuation of 710 billion dollars, though have seen their value fall by 5 percent on average since the start of the year.

Nestlé remains the most valuable Swiss company, going from 24th at the beginning of 2024 to 36th place today. The pharmaceutical giants of Basel, Roche and Novartis, took 51st and 53rd respectively. In addition, of the 500 most valuable companies in the world, 15 are in Switzerland. Famous firms on the list include manufacturer ABB (150th), Swiss bank and investment firm UBS (169th) and insurance company Zurich (219th).

10 most valuable companies in the world

In all, here are the 10 most valuable companies on Earth as of June 2024, according to EY (in US dollars):

1. Microsoft, technology (3,3 trillion)
2. Apple, technology (3,2 trillion)
3. Nvidia, technology (3 trillion)
4. Alphabet, technology (2,2 trillion)
5. Amazon, online retail (2 trillion)
6. Saudi Aramco, energy, oil and natural gas (1,7 tillion)
7. Meta, social media (1,2 trillion)
8. Berkshire Hathaway, conglomerate (877 billion)
9. Eli Lilly, pharmaceuticals (815 billion)
10. TSMC, technology (771 billion)

For more information, check out the official study (registration required).

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