The following is a list of the top 10 companies in Australia as defined by their market cap as of 1 February 2020.
1. Commonwealth Bank
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is the largest bank in Australia in terms of assets, deposits and market cap. It is also the largest company in Australia in terms of market cap, at A$149.7 billion.
The bank was founded in 1911 and began operations the following year. The bank employs 52,000 people (as of this writing) and has more than 800,000 shareholders. It is headquartered in Sydney.
The bank offers a wide variety of banking services in Australia and New Zealand as well as internationally, including retail and business banking, investment banking, wealth management, and international financial services. It also operates 1,172 branches and 3,963 ATMs in Australia.
2. CSL Limited
CSL Limited is the second-largest company in Australia in terms of market cap, at A$141.3 billion.
The company was founded in 1916 as Commonwealth Serum Laboratories "to service the health needs of a nation isolated" by World War I, the company's website says. It was incorporated as CSL Limited in 1991 and listed on the ASX in 1994. It is headquartered in Parkville, Australia.
In addition to Australia, the company does business primarily in the U.S., Germany, the U.K., Switzerland and China. It operates through two segments: CSL Behring offers plasma therapies for immunodeficiency, bleeding disorders and neurological disorders; and Seqirus manufactures and distributes non-plasma biotherapeutic products and influenza vaccines.
3. BHP Group Limited
BHP Group Limited is one of the world's leading resources companies and is the third-largest company by market cap, at A$112.7 billion.
BHP was incorporated in 1885 and is headquartered in Melbourne. It employs more than 72,000 employees and contractors, most of whom are located in Australia and the Americas. The company is among the top producers of iron ore, coal and copper in the world. It also has substantial interests in oil and gas.
4. Westpac Banking Corp
Westpac is Australia's first bank and its oldest company, dating back to 1817, when it was created as the Bank of New South Wales. It changed its name to Westpac Banking Corp. in October 1982 following the acquisition of the Commercial Bank of Australia.
The bank is the fourth largest company in terms of market cap, at A$89.6 billion.
Based in Sydney, the bank provides banking and financial services in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Pacific region, and internationally. It operates through four divisions: Consumer, Business, Westpac Institutional Bank, and Westpac New Zealand.
5. National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank is the country's third-largest bank and its largest business bank, although it also does business with consumers. Founded in 1834 and based in Docklands, the company had a market cap of A$75.2 billion.
The company employs more than 30,000 workers and serves nine million customers in Australia, New Zealand and globally.
6. ANZ Banking Group Limited
Melbourne-based ANZ is the fourth-largest bank in Australia and the sixth-largest company by market cap, at A$71.7 billion at 1 February 2020.
The bank was created in 1835 as the Bank of Australasia. Today it operates in 33 markets globally, including Australia and New Zealand, among many others.
7. Woolworths Group Limited
Woolworths Group Limited, a large food and wine retailer and hotel operator, is the country's seventh-largest company by market cap, at A$52.7 billion. Based in Bella Vista, the company was founded in 1924.
Woolworths Group operates several food chains, including 1,024 Woolworths supermarkets and Metro stores. In New Zealand it operates 180 Countdown supermarkets. Its Endeavour Drinks unit sells wine and liquor through 1,577 stores under the Dan Murphy's, Summergate and BWS brands, as well as Cellarmasters, winemarket.com.au online platforms and Langtons. In addition, its BIG W unit operates 183 discount general merchandise stores. It also operates a chain of 328 hotels.
8. Wesfarmers Limited
Another retailer, Perth-based Wesfarmers Limited is the eighth-largest Australian company by market cap, at A$51.1 billion.
Founded in 1914 as a Western Australian farmers' cooperative, Wesfarmers' operations include home improvement and outdoor living through its Bunnings stores; apparel and general merchandise through its 231 Kmart stores and 289 Target stores; and office supplies through its 167 Officeworks stores.
Its industrials division sells chemicals, energy products and fertilisers, and industrial and safety products. The company says it is one of Australia's largest employers and has a shareholder base of about 484,000.
9. Macquarie Group Limited
Macquarie Group Limited is a diversified financial services company that provides clients with asset management, advisory, banking, and risk and capital solutions.
Based in Sydney, the company was founded in 1969 as Hill Samuel Australia with a staff of three. It is now a global business operating in over 27 countries specializing in resources, agriculture and commodities, and energy and infrastructure, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region. The company ranks ninth in terms of market cap at A$50.3 billion.
10. Telstra Corp.
Telstra Corp. Limited is a telecommunications and information services business. It ranks as the 10th largest Australian company by market cap at A$45.6 billion.
Based in Melbourne, the company was founded 1901 as Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corp. Limited and changed its name to Telstra Corp. in April 1993. The company serves business and consumer customers through four divisions: Telstra Consumer and Small Business, Telstra Enterprise, Networks and IT, and Telstra InfraCo.
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is one of the 10 largest global securities exchanges in terms of value, with a total market capitalisation of about A$2 trillion. Originally called the Australian Stock Exchange, the company was formed in 1987, combining the country's six independent state-based stock exchanges. In 2006 the Australian Stock Exchange merged with the Sydney Futures Exchange and was renamed the ASX Group in 2010.
The 10 largest companies traded on the exchange in terms of market capitalization include the country's four largest banks and a global financial services firm, a large pharmaceuticals company, two retailers, an international natural resources company, and a telecommunications firm.
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