In this article, we discuss 5 of the most valuable companies in history. If you want to check out some more of the most valuable companies in history, go directly to 15 Most Valuable Companies In History.
5. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Peak Market Capitalization: $2.973 trillion
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is #5 on our list of 15 Most Valuable Companies In History and the only company that’s around today. Although it doesn’t have the same monopoly on operating systems as Microsoft or the same market share as Alphabet in mobile operating systems, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is the most profitable given its mastery of design and branding. Given its huge and in many cases affluent customer base, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is a money machine that achieved a peak market capitalization of almost $3 trillion.
4. Standard Oil
Peak Market Capitalization:$3 trillion+
Standard Oil dominated the oil and gas industry in the United States in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s thanks to M&A and economies of scale. Due to its dominance, Standard Oil also made John Rockefeller the world’s first billionaire. Founded in 1863, the company became so big that eventually the government split it up with the Sherman Antitrust Act. Given its dominance of the market, Standard Oil would have likely been worth multiple trillions at its peak in today’s prices.
3. South Sea Company
Peak Market Capitalization:$4 trillion
South Sea Company was a British joint stock company founded in 1711 by an Act of Parliament. The company was designed to consolidate and control Britain’s national debt and also help Britain increase its trade in the Americas. In 1713, South Sea Company was granted a trading monopoly in the Americas.
South Sea Company benefited from a huge bubble that mainly accounted for its peak value in today’s terms. At its peak, the company was worth £200 million before the eventual bubble burst.
2. Mississippi Company
Peak Market Capitalization: $6 trillion
Mississippi Company was a company that developed the U.S. french territories around the Mississippi River valley. It also had a monopoly on the African slave trade and French tobacco trade in the valley. Mississippi Company also experienced a speculative bubble that accounted for much of its peak value before the eventual bubble burst.
With its peak market capitalization of as much as $6 trillion in today’s terms, Mississippi Company ranks #2 on our list of 15 Most Valuable Companies In History.
1. Dutch East India Company
Peak Market Capitalization:$7 trillion+
Founded in 1602, the Dutch East India Company was the world’s first publicly traded company. Having begun as a space trader, the company eventually had the largest shipping fleet and also benefited from the tulip bubble. At its peak the company had a present day value of over $7 trillion, which makes Dutch East India Company #1 on our list of 15 Most Valuable Companies In History.
You can also take a look at 10 Biggest Industries In the US and 25 Most Famous People in the World.
