Ever since the Covid-19 outbreak, Malaysia has seen a huge influx of new retail investors recently. I think a top 20 list of the largest and most valuable companies in Malaysia listed on the KLSE would be helpful. And fun.
The list would be based on the market capitalization of the companies listed on Bursa. I’ll be updating the list periodically.
For new investors, valuing a stock just based on its market cap is not the way to go. Instead, maybe use this list as a way to give you a place to start. Go deeper and start with annual reports and the company’s financials. If you like what you see and the numbers add up, its time to invest!
20. Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad
Stock Symbol : HAPSENG [3034] Market Cap : RM22.15 billion Revenue : RM7.10 billion Net Profit : RM1.22 billion
Coming in at number 20 is Hap Seng, most of you may know them as one of the dealers for Mercedes Benz via their subsidary – Hap Seng Star.
In fact, Hap Seng has six main business divisions – plantation, automotive, property, trading, credit financing and building materials.
19. Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad
Stock Symbol : KLK[2445] Market Cap : RM24.56 billion Revenue : RM15.53 billion Net Profit : RM650.73 million
KLK is one of the largest plantation company in Malaysia. Focusing on both oil palm and rubber.
Besides plantation, KLK has interests in oleochemical and property development.
18. PPB Group Berhad
Stock Symbol : PPB [4065] Market Cap : RM24.72 billion Revenue : RM4.68 billion Net Profit : RM1.20 billion
Some of you may know this as Malaysia’s richest business magnate’s company – Robert Kuok’s.
PPB has interests in oil palm, agriculture, film (GSC Cinmenas), engineering and property development.
17. IOI Corporation Berhad
Stock Symbol : IOICORP [1961] Market Cap : RM27.47 billion Revenue : RM7.39 billion Net Profit : RM617.60 million
IOI Corp is another plantation player with interests in the property sector as well.
16. Nestle (M) Berhad
Stock Symbol : NESTLE [4707] Market Cap : RM32.62 billion Revenue : RM5.52 billion Net Profit : RM672.91 million
Nestle is in the consumer products sector and a household name in Malaysia. Brands like Milo, Maggi, Nescafe, KitKat all fall under the huge Nestle umbrella.
15. Hong Leong Bank Berhad
Stock Symbol : HLBANK [5819] Market Cap : RM33.17 billion Revenue : RM4.73 billion Net Profit : RM2.66 billion
Hong Leong bank is the 4th largest bank by market cap in Malaysia. It has a presence in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China.
Nothing much to be said except to expect 3 other banks to come in the list later.
14. Axiata Group Berhad
Stock Symbol : AXIATA [6888] Market Cap : RM33.65 billion Revenue : RM24.58 billion Net Profit : RM1.82 billion
Axiata is a telecommunications company in Malaysia and if you don’t already know, Celcom is brought to you by Axiata.
13. Digi.com Berhad
Stock Symbol : DIGI [6947] Market Cap : RM34.21 billion Revenue : RM6.30 billion Net Profit : RM1.43 billion
Another telecommunications company, Digi comes in at number 13. Traditionally, telecommunication stocks have been dividend darlings to investors.
12. Sime Darby Plantation Berhad
Stock Symbol : SIMEPLT [5285] Market Cap : RM34.42 billion Revenue : RM12.06 billion Net Profit : -RM47.00 million
With the recent split of the Sime Darby Group, Sime Darby Plantation remains in the top 20 companies in Malaysia.
They are currently the largest plantation company by market cap in Malaysia.
11. Petronas Gas Berhad
Stock Symbol : PETGAS [6033] Market Cap : RM35.62 billion Revenue : RM5.46 billion Net Profit : RM1.98 billion
Petronas Gas is a part of Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas Group. The company has interests in gas processing, gas transportation, LNG regasification and utilities.
10. MISC Berhad
Stock Symbol : MISC [3816] Market Cap : RM36.51 billion Revenue : RM8.96 billion Net Profit : RM1.44 billion
MISC is in the business of providing international energy-related maritime solutions and services. Main interests include LNG shipping, petroleum shipping, operation of offshore floating solutions, marine and heavy engineering, and port management.
9. CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Stock Symbol : CIMB [1023] Market Cap : RM39.20 billion Revenue : RM17.80 billion Net Profit : RM4.46 billion
Malaysia’s third largest bank by market cap.
It has subsidiaries in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, as well as branches in Singapore, the Philippines, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Laos and representative offices in Yangon and Mumbai.
A fun and perhaps valuable fact is that CIMB owns Touch n’ Go and the e-wallet Boost.
8. Maxis Berhad
Stock Symbol : MAXIS [6012] Market Cap : RM42.00 billion Revenue : RM9.31 billion Net Profit : RM1.52 billion
Malaysia’s largest telecommunications company. Maxis provides other digital services as well apart from its bread and butter – coverage.
7. Hartalega Holdings Berhad
Stock Symbol : HARTA [5168] Market Cap : RM42.15 billion Revenue : RM2.92 billion Net Profit : RM435.83 million
Malaysia’s 2nd largest glove maker just behind Top Glove. They produce nitrile, latex and OEM gloves.
Glove makers are in the top 20 right now because of market enthusiasm.
6. Top Glove Corporation Berhad
Stock Symbol : TOPGLOV [7113] Market Cap : RM44.29 billion Revenue : RM4.80 billion Net Profit : RM373.61 million
Top Glove is not only the largest in Malaysia. It is the world’s largest manufacturer of gloves.
Apart from gloves, the company’s product range comprises of condoms, dental dams and exercise bands.
Glove makers are in the top 20 right now because of market enthusiasm.
5. IHH Healthcare Berhad
Stock Symbol : IHH [5225] Market Cap : RM48.27 billion Revenue : RM14.91 billion Net Profit : RM514.84 million
If you’ve been to a hospital, chances are it is owned by IHH.
Their brands include Gleneagles, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai Hospitals, Parkway and Fortis.
IHH has a presence in Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and India. The Group also has a growing presence in Greater China and an expanding network across Asia and Central and Eastern Europe.
IHH is one of the largest healthcare groups in the world by market capitalisation and are listed on the Main Markets of Bursa Malaysia and the Singapore Stock Exchange.
4. Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad
Stock Symbol : PCHEM [5183] Market Cap : RM53.60 billion Revenue : RM16.37 billion Net Profit : RM2.80 billion
PChem is another subsidiary under Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas. Its operations include the manufacturing, marketing and selling of a variety of petrochemicals.
3. Public Bank Berhad
Stock Symbol : PBBANK [1295] Market Cap : RM66.93 billion Revenue : RM22.45 billion Net Profit : RM5.58 billion
Public Bank is not the 2nd largest bank in Malaysia, ahead of CIMB. Founded by Malaysia’s 5th richest man – Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Teh Hong Piow.
A fun fact – Public Bank owns Public Mutual.
2. Tenaga Nasional Berhad
Stock Symbol : TENAGA [5347] Market Cap : RM68.23 billion Revenue : RM50.94 billion Net Profit : RM4.45 billion
TNB is in the business of the generation and supply of electricity to the country’s power grid.
1. Malayan Banking Berhad
Stock Symbol : MAYBANK [1155] Market Cap : RM90.83 billion Revenue : RM52.84 billion Net Profit : RM8.48 billion
Maybank is Malaysia’s largest bank and largest company by market capitalisation. It is the first company in Malaysia to cross the RM100 billion dollar mark in market cap.
The bank has offices and presence in 20 countries around the world.
End.
Out of the 20 companies listed above, I have stakes in 4 companies. A full list of the stocks I own can be seen in my portfolio – the Freedom Fund.
Listing Malaysia’s top companies has been fun. However, I’d like to emphasize just how small Malaysia’s companies are:
Apple, the world’s most valuable company is valued at USD1.53 trillion. Converted to RM, that puts Apple’s valuation at a whopping RM6.53 trillion.
To put it in simpler terms.. our most valuable company – Maybank is worth 1.38% of Apple. This is why apart from investing in Malaysian companies, I am investing in the US as well.
Investing is easy, just make sure to not be drowned in the clutter and news surrounding the stocks you’re investing in. Trust sound judgement and trust the numbers.
