Who owns the worlds listed companies?

How many listed companies are there across the world? Approximately 41,000 at the end of 2017. What is their market cap? About US$ 84 trillion, the same as global GDP that year. Where are these companies listed? 10% by number, and 36% by market cap are listed in the US. Asia accounts for the largest number 57%, and 37% of market cap. Exclude Japan, China, and other advanced Asian countries, residual Asia is home to 23% of the companies, but a paltry 5% of the global market cap.

Should who own’s listed companies matter? And what are its implications? To download the full report click here.

A modified version of this comment appeared in Business Standard on 13 December, under the title “Who owns listed companies?”