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Gazprom Surges to Top of Global 500 Ranking Amid Oil Price Strength

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Russian oil and gas producer Gazprom has risen to become Europe's most valuable company, just 17 years after the fall of the Berlin wall. The company's market capitalization has catapulted it from 10th to 3rd place in the Global 500 ranking of quoted companies, surpassing Microsoft and Citigroup. ExxonMobil remains the most valuable company in the world, ahead of General Electric, while Saudi Basic Industries and EADS have taken significant hits due to market declines in the Middle East.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gazprom, the Russian oil and gas producer, has become Europe's most valuable company, rising to 3rd place in the Global 500 ranking of quoted companies, from 10th place in the previous quarter.
  • ExxonMobil remains the most valuable company in the world, with a market capitalization significantly higher than the next closest competitors.
  • Microsoft has fallen from 3rd to 5th place, due in part to Bill Gates' shifting focus from software to philanthropy.
  • Saudi Basic Industries and EADS have both experienced significant declines due to market downturns in the Middle East.
  • Burlington Resources, Guidant, and Liberty Media were the only companies to drop out of the rankings due to takeovers or restructuring.
  • Sun Microsystems is no longer among the world's 500 most valuable companies, a poignant reminder of the dotcom boom.
  • New entrants to the rankings include BAA, the UK airports operator, and Falconbridge, the Canadian metals group, both of which are the subject of take-over bids.
  • Boston Scientific's gain in value reflects its acquisition of Guidant, while TXU, CBS, and Las Vegas Sands have all risen significantly in the rankings.

Statistics:

  • Gazprom's market capitalization has risen to €137.3 billion, placing it Europe's most valuable company (Source: Global 500 ranking, Q2 2007).
  • ExxonMobil remains the world's most valuable company, with a market capitalization of €383.4 billion, surpassing General Electric's €227.4 billion (Source: Global 500 ranking, Q2 2007).
  • Microsoft has fallen from 3rd to 5th place, with a market capitalization of €152.4 billion (Source: Global 500 ranking, Q2 2007).
  • Saudi Basic Industries has declined 15 places, from 15th to 30th, with a market capitalization of €17.4 billion (Source: Global 500 ranking, Q2 2007).

Sources:

  • Global 500 ranking, Q2 2007
  • Bloomberg News Service, June 2007

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