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What are the biggest companies in Europe by market cap?

This list ranks Europe’s biggest public companies by market capitalisation — the cumulative value of a company's total outstanding market shares. We’ll also be highlighting other key figures, such as the company's revenue, gross profit, and 1-year return (all based on the previous fiscal year). 

Some other key facts such as the exchange the company is listed on, the founding year and country the company is headquartered in are also covered.

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1. SAP SE

• Market cap: $317.7 billion
• ‍Revenue: $37.56 billion
• ‍Gross profit: $26.98 billion
• ‍1-yr return: +20.62%
• ‍Exchange: XETR
• ‍Year founded: 1972
• ‍Country: Germany
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SAP is a global leader in enterprise application software. Its systems are a cornerstone of modern business operations.

• Cloud & software: Provides cloud-based solutions and traditional software for managing business operations and customer relations, including ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning).
• Services: Offers expert support, implementation services, and training to help customers maximize the value of their SAP applications.

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2. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton

• Market cap: $292.83 billion‍
• Revenue: $94.62 billion‍
• Gross profit: $65.34 billion‍
• 1-yr return: -21.76%‍
• Exchange: EURONEXT‍
• Year founded: 1987‍
• Country: France
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LVMH is the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate, managing a diverse portfolio of prestigious brands.

• Fashion & leather goods: The largest division, featuring iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Fendi.
• Wines & spirits: Owns world-renowned champagne and cognac houses such as Moët & Chandon, Hennessy, and Dom Pérignon.
• Watches, jewellery, & retail: Includes brands like Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, and TAG Heuer, alongside selective retailers like Sephora.

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3. ASML Holding N.V.

• Market cap: $286.99 billion‍
• Revenue: $30.13 billion‍
• Gross profit: $15.48 billion‍
• 1-yr return: -13.77%‍
• Exchange: EURONEXT‍
• Year founded: 1984‍
• Country: Netherlands

ASML is a critical player in the semiconductor industry, holding a near-monopoly on the production of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines.

• Lithography systems: Designs and manufactures the complex machines that chipmakers like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel use to create the circuitry on microchips. These systems are essential for producing the most advanced processors in the world.

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4. Roche Holding AG

• Market cap: $259.40 billion‍
• Revenue: $66.27 billion‍
• Gross profit: $46.06 billion‍
• 1-yr return: -3.58%‍
• Exchange: SIX‍
• Year founded: 1896‍
• Country: Switzerland

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, focusing on advancing science to improve people's lives.

• Pharmaceuticals: A world leader in oncology (cancer treatments) and also develops medicines for immunology, ophthalmology, and infectious diseases.
• Diagnostics: Provides a wide range of innovative diagnostic tests and systems that help doctors detect, diagnose, and monitor diseases.

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5. Novo Nordisk A/S

• Market cap: $252.19 billion‍
• Revenue: $36.70 billion‍
• Gross profit: $30.87 billion‍
• 1-yr return: -60.12%‍
• Exchange: OMXCOP‍
• Year founded: 1923‍
• Country: Denmark

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with a primary focus on treating chronic diseases, particularly diabetes.

• Diabetes & obesity care: The world's leading supplier of insulin and has seen massive growth from its highly effective GLP-1 treatments for diabetes and weight loss, such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
• Rare diseases: Develops and markets biopharmaceutical products for treating hemophilia and other rare blood and endocrine disorders.

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6. Hermès International SCA 

• Market cap: $251.24 billion‍
• Revenue: $14.86 billion‍
• Gross profit: $10.45 billion‍
• 1-yr return: -21.56%‍
• Exchange: EURONEXT‍
• Year founded: 1837‍
• Country: France

Hermès is an icon of high-end luxury, renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, exclusivity, and timeless designs.

• Leather goods & saddlery: The core of its business, famous for its highly sought-after Birkin and Kelly handbags.
• Other categories: Produces a wide range of luxury goods, including silk scarves, ties, ready-to-wear fashion, perfumes, and watches.

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7. AstraZeneca PLC

• Market cap: $245.98 billion‍
• Revenue: $47.92 billion‍
• Gross profit: $39.42 billion‍
• 1-yr return: -5.88%‍
• Exchange: London Stock Exchange‍
• Year founded: 1913‍
• Country: United Kingdom

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company with a focus on creating innovative prescription medicines.

• Oncology: A world leader in cancer treatments, which forms a significant and growing part of its revenue.
• Biopharmaceuticals: Develops medicines for major disease areas like cardiovascular, respiratory, and immunology.

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8. L'Oréal S.A.

• Market cap: $244.94 billion‍
• Revenue: $45.93 billion‍
• Gross profit: $33.72 billion‍
• 1-yr return: +3.01%‍
• Exchange: EURONEXT‍
• Year founded: 1909‍
• Country: France

L'Oréal is the world's largest cosmetics and beauty company, with a vast portfolio of brands covering all segments of the market.

• Consumer products: Mass-market brands like Maybelline, Garnier, and L'Oréal Paris.
• Luxe: High-end brands including Lancôme, Kiehl's, and Yves Saint Laurent Beauté.
• Active cosmetics: Dermatological skincare brands such as La Roche-Posay and CeraVe.
• Professional products: Supplies hair salons with brands like Kérastase and Redken.

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9. Novartis AG

• Market cap: $240.15 billion‍
• Revenue: $50.31 billion‍
• Gross profit: $37.89 billion‍
• 1-yr return: +3.91%‍
• Exchange: SIX‍
• Year founded: 1996‍
• Country: Switzerland

Novartis is a global healthcare company that provides solutions to address the evolving needs of patients worldwide.

• Innovative medicines: Focuses on developing and marketing patented prescription drugs across various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular, immunology, and neuroscience.
• Sandoz (generic & biosimilars): Operates a major division that produces generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars after patents on original drugs have expired.

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10. Nestlé S.A.

• Market cap: $237.10 billion‍
• Revenue: $105.13 billion‍
• Gross profit: $49.52 billion‍
• 1-yr return: -16.87%‍
• Exchange: SIX‍
• Year founded: 1866‍
• Country: Switzerland

Nestlé is the largest food and beverage company in the world, with a massive portfolio of well-known brands.

• Powdered & liquid beverages: Includes major coffee brands like Nescafé, Nespresso, and Starbucks (packaged).
• PetCare: A global leader with brands such as Purina, Friskies, and Fancy Feast.
• Nutrition & health science: Produces infant formulas, health supplements, and medical nutrition.
• Confectionery & packaged food: Owns iconic brands like KitKat, Maggi, and Toll House.

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What are the biggest companies by total annual revenue?

• Volkswagen Group: $305.98 billion 
• Shell: $265.74 billion 
• TotalEnergies: $208.61 billion 
• Mercedes-Benz Group: $166.70 billion 
• Uniper SE: $121.36 billion‍

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What are the biggest companies by workforce?

• Volkswagen Group: 684,013 
• DHL Group: 594,439 
• Schwarz Gruppe: 575,000 
• Compass Group: 550,000 
• Tesco: 337,255

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Summary

Understanding a company's performance is crucial; it's how you truly know what you own. These metrics directly drive the value of your stocks and funds. When you understand these key drivers, you can navigate market changes with confidence, rather than just reacting to headlines.

Next we’ll be looking at the biggest companies in China by market cap.

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All market data sourced from TradingView and company reports as of 04.09.2025.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than your original investment. Chip does not offer financial advice and this should not be considered as a personal recommendation.