How the U.S. Beats the World

At the end of 2024, of the 100 largest corporations in the world measured by market capitalization, 63 companies were headquartered in the United States. That is a record figure.

With their market capitalization totaling 33.4 trillion euros, U.S. corporations account for 76.7% of the total stock market valuation of the top 100 companies — also a record figure.

A year ago, the U.S. share was 71% — and two years ago, that figure was just under 67%.

Globally, the share of the stock market capitalization of all U.S. companies is at a record 50.2%.

The United States thus accounts for more than half of the world's stock market capitalization for the first time ever. A year ago, the figure was 45%.

Back in 2007, when Europe's economy and stock markets were booming shortly before the outbreak of the financial crisis, U.S. shares accounted for a global share of only 29.6%.

At present, nine of the top ten and 17 of the 20 most valuable companies in the world are headquartered in the United States. At 3.7 trillion euros, Apple ranks as number one, followed by Nvidia.

By comparison, all 40 companies in Germany’s DAX index combined are only worth 1.9 trillion euros.

Since 2000, the Dow Jones, in which 30 major U.S. companies are listed, as well as the broader S&P 500 index, have both risen by more than 300%.

In contrast, the EURO STOXX 50 has been treading water for almost two-and-a-half decades, fluctuating widely.