Top 5 Biggest Malaysian Companies: Part 1
by: Caitlyn Ng
It's a well known fact that there are ten mega corporations in the world that actually control almost everything that we consumers purchase. How about Malaysia's mega corporations? Did you know the top ten biggest Malaysian companies, measured by market cap? Let's take a look at the list compiled by SaveMoney.my!
Additional notes: Market capitalization (or more commonly known as market cap) is the "total dollar market value of all of a company's outstanding shares and is calculated by multiplying a company's shares outstanding by the current market price of one share". Dividend yield is defined as "how much a company pays out in dividends each year relative to its share price and calculated by dividing annual dividends per share over price per share".
10) Genting Group (RM37.49 billion)
Ahh what a way to start off this list with one of the most beloved Malaysian companies: Genting Group! Also known as "the highlands resort where many families go to for their holidays because there's a theme park and it's much colder than the usually hot and humid tropical climate". On a more business-like note, the Group comprises four listed entities, namely Genting Malaysia Berhad, Genting Plantations Berhad, Genting Singapore Plc and Genting Hong Kong Limited. It was established by the late Malaysian entrepreneur Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong in April 1965, who had a vision of a mountain resort within reach of all Malaysians.
With a market cap of RM37.49 billion, an approximate RM66 billion worth of total assets and a dividend yield that has been set at 0.88% (RM10.20 is the current price per share), the Genting Group is on the 725th spot of the "World's Biggest Public Companies" list by Forbes.
9) Petronas Gas Berhad (RM45.67 billion)
The main parent company of Petronas was created in August 1974 by the Malaysian government in order to assert the nation's rights over the use of Malaysia's own natural resources. PETRONAS (which stands for Petroliam Nasional) has since grown from its foundation to its current status as a multinational integrated oil and gas company that deals with a wide range of petroleum-based activities. This is one of the branches (also known as PETGAS) that is engaged in the processes of "liquefaction, transmission, marketing and trading of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas".
Having a market cap of RM45.67 billion as well as a total asset worth of approximately RM14 billion and a dividend yield of 1.27% (the current price per share is at RM23.30) has garnered Petronas Gas Berhad the 1450th spot on the Forbes' "World's Biggest Public Companies" list.
8) Maxis Berhad (RM53.20 billion)
Mention the word "Hotlink" and many, if not all, Malaysians would instantly understand what it is you are referring to! A pre-paid mobile plan that was introduced in 1999 by Maxis Communications, it rapidly gained popularity and now accounts for three quarters of its total customers (that's approximately 10.5 million users). Being the only integrated communications service provider in Malaysia, Maxis Communications has purportedly always been at the forefront of technology since their formation in 1995.
The company has a market cap of RM53.20 billion as well as a total asset value worth of approximately RM18 billion which places Maxis on the 1260th spot in Forbes' "World's Biggest Public Companies" list.
7) Petronas Chemicals Group (RM54.40 billion)
Petronas Chemicals Group (PCG) is an integrated chemicals producer that began in 1985 and operates in three key segments which are sold both domestically and internationally: olefins and derivatives, fertilisers and methanol, as well as other chemicals. At the helm is Dr Abd Hapiz bin Abdullah, who is in charge of the corporation's three main production facilities at Gurun, Bintulu and Labuan.
Petronas Chemicals has a market cap of RM54.40 billion, total assets worth RM26 billion and a dividend yield that has been set at 2.34% (RM6.85 is the current price per share), placing it on the 941st spot of the Forbes' "World's Biggest Public Companies" list.
6) Sime Darby Berhad (RM56.43 billion)
With 5 core sectors to their name (plantations, property, industrial, motors, as well as energy and utilities), Sime Darby went on to become one of Malaysia's leading diversified multinational corporation, with Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh at the helm. A merger between three significantly important companies in 2007 formed what is now known as Sime Darby: Guthrie & Co. (formed in 1821 by Alexander Guthrie), Harrisons & Crosfield (formed in 1844 by Daniel and Smith Harrison and their friend Joseph Crosfield) as well as Sime, Darby & Co. (formed in 1910 by William Sime, Henry d’Esterre Darby and Herbert Mitford Darby).
Having a market cap of RM56.43 billion, total assets of RM49 billion and a dividend yield set at 5.76% (RM9.37 is the current price per share) places Sime Darby Berhad at the 542nd spot in the "World's Biggest Public Companies" list by Forbes.
Stay tuned for Part 2 when we cover the rest of the list, and count down to the number one largest company in Malaysia!
* Caitlyn Ng is an Investigative Journalist of SaveMoney.my, an online consumer advice portal which aims to help Malaysians save money through smart (and most of the time painless) savings in their daily banking, technology, and lifestyle spending habits.
