2024 has been a year of continuous growth for the largest and most valuable companies in the world, which have closed the year even more powerful. Although at the beginning of the year analysts were cautious about what to expect, the listed giants have proven to be the driving force behind global stock markets. Among them, Nvidia stands out, which has been the real star, with a 174% increase in its value, raising its capitalization by 2.14 trillion dollars according to Bloomberg data collected at the end of December 2024.
Under the leadership of Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, the company has gone from producing graphics cards for gaming to dominating the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Almost all of its revenue comes from supplying the data centers that make AI possible, which has catapulted Nvidia to the top.
In its latest quarterly results, Nvidia achieved revenue of $35,082 million, a figure that far exceeded the $18,120 million for the same quarter in 2023. However, the news that its revenue for the last quarter would be somewhat lower than expected ( around $37 billion) generated volatility in its shares, which lost 9.9% from their November highs. Despite these fluctuations, the Cupertino firm, Apple, remains the most valuable company in the world.
Apple: The Undisputed Queen of the Market
Apple has maintained its place as the largest company on the planet, a position it already held at the end of 2023. With a capitalization of $3.8 trillion, the company has a market value almost three times higher than Spain’s GDP. In its fiscal year 2024, Apple achieved record revenues of $391,035 million, with profits of $93,736 million. Its dividend and share buyback policy has further strengthened its position. In the last quarter alone, Apple returned $29 billion to its shareholders. According to Luca Maestri, the company’s financial director, the company is very satisfied with the record of active devices it has achieved globally, which demonstrates the loyalty and satisfaction of its customers.
Microsoft: A Year of Success
Microsoft has also achieved another record in 2024, consolidating itself as the third most valuable company in the world, with revenues of $245 billion and profits of $88 billion. Its commitment to artificial intelligence, through its alliance with OpenAI, and its dominance in the operating systems and cloud services market (Azure), has allowed it to maintain its leadership position.
The Technology Sector Continues to Dominate
The technology sector continues to be the big winner of 2024. Companies such as Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Meta and Broadcom, recently incorporated into the billion-dollar club, share a strong presence in this sector. Tesla, for its part, has managed to maintain its position in eighth place, partly thanks to the support that the political context in the United States has given it and Elon Musk’s close relationship with Donald Trump.
Aramco’s Setback
In contrast to the success of technology companies, Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, has fallen three positions due to the drop in oil prices and production cuts imposed by Saudi Arabia within OPEC+. Despite Berkshire Hathaway’s 26.69% revaluation, this firm has fallen one place in the ranking, displaced by other companies that have grown at a faster rate.
US Dominance and the Growth of TSMC
Of the 50 most valuable companies, 32 are American, highlighting the preeminence of companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia in the top positions. However, despite the geopolitical tension due to the possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan, TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), a leader in chip manufacturing, has achieved an impressive revaluation of 81% in 2024, which has consolidated its position in the global top 20.
Europe in Numbers
As for Europe, the Danish Novo Nordisk closed the year as the most valuable company on the continent, although it suffered a big drop at the end of 2024 due to a disappointing result in its obesity treatment. On the negative side, large companies such as Louis Vuitton, ASML and Nestlé have experienced losses in their market value, reflecting the challenges facing the European economy.
In the case of SAP, the German software company has had an outstanding performance, thanks to its record results in the cloud, which fueled its growth. On the other hand, Hermes has also made progress in its valuation and ranking positions.
Spanish Companies
In Spain, Inditex has closed 2024 with a big jump, entering 89th place, 10 positions higher than in 2023. Analysts highlight that its success not only lies in its business model, but also in the weakness of other companies. high-end brands. Despite some declines in its stock, the company’s record revenue is a positive sign of its strong performance.
On the other hand, Iberdrola, which occupied 190th place, has fallen 13 positions, while Banco Santander and BBVA have experienced declines in their rankings, occupying positions 280 and 342 respectively.
If you are considering investing in global companies or simply want to improve your financial strategy, do not hesitate to consult an advisor. Their experience will allow you to make informed decisions, minimize risks and take advantage of the best market opportunities. Remember, the path to financial success is not just about choosing the right stocks, but doing so strategically and with the right support.