Foodstuffs Three Swiss among the 100 highest valued companies
The total value of the world's 100 most expensive listed companies rose massively in the 2025 financial year. Switzerland is still represented three times in the ranking with Roche, Nestlé and Novartis.
13.01.2026, 10:44
SDA
The cumulative stock market value of the 100 most expensive companies rose to a new record total of USD 54.4 trillion last year thanks to the AI boom and despite the persistently difficult economic and political situation, as the consulting firm EY announced on Tuesday. This is 23 percent above the level at the end of 2024.
In continental terms, Asian companies recorded the strongest growth in value, followed by American and European companies. At the end of the year, Nvidia (market capitalization of around USD 4,500 billion) was in the lead, ahead of Apple (just over 4,000 billion) and Alphabet (just under 3,800 billion). The oil company Saudi Aramco was the first non-US company in the top ten with a market value of USD 1.5 trillion, while the most valuable European company was the Dutch technology group ASML.
The USA is represented in the top 100 with 60 companies, China with eleven and the UK in third place with six. Switzerland shares fourth place with Germany and France thanks to Roche, Novartis and Nestlé.
Roche and Novartis move up, Nestlé loses ground
Switzerland's largest companies have made up some ground. Roche moved up 15 places to 31st place (capitalization USD 353 billion) and Novartis 13 places to 53rd place (USD 265 billion). Nestlé, on the other hand, dropped 6 places to 57th position (256 billion).
However, a number of Swiss companies outside the top 100 also improved their position compared to the start of the year. As in the previous year, there are a total of eight Swiss companies in the top 300.
The three Swiss giants are joined by UBS, ABB, Richemont and Zurich, among others, in descending order of position.
If the focus is shifted to the top 500 largest companies, Glencore, Holcim, Swiss Re and Lonza are added from Switzerland. Givaudan and Sika, on the other hand, are no longer represented.
