Wall Street, home to Gordon Gecko, the Smurfs ringing the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) bell and eye-wateringly large initial public offering (IPO) valuations. It is home to the two largest bourses in the world by capitalisation, the NYSE and Nasdaq respectively.
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Unsurprisingly, the 20 most valuable emerging market technology companies listed on either the NYSE or Nasdaq originate in Asia. (I haven’t included the telecoms giants from South America — which are listed as public utilities.) South Africa’s Wall Street listings are all in the mining sector, but its top technology contender, MTN Group, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) would rank fourth, with a market cap of $33.68 billion.
So the top 15 most valuable emerging market technology companies, with a combined market cap of more than $301 billion, in ascending order of market capitalisation, are as follows:
15. 51job, Inc. — China
A leading human resources provider in China, 51job combines on- and offline recruitment services as well as training and assessment, and HR outsourcing and consulting services. It has 25 offices in mainland China and is the only publicly listed HR company in the country.
Nasdaq symbol: JOBS
Market cap: US$1.33-billion
14. Sohu.com Inc. — China
Sohu, or search fox, comprises internet advertising services, a search engine and gaming services. It was the official provider of content to the Beijing Olympic games, and has had a run in with Google over alleged copyright infringements on Google’s part.
Nasdaq symbol: SOHU
Market cap: US$1.49 billion
13. Youku Tudou Inc. — China
China’s largest video site was formed by the 2012 merger of Youku and Tudou. According to Reuters this was a marriage of necessity between rivals: the former competitors had been embroiled in fierce legal battles over copyright infringement and anti-competitive practices, as well as facing rising costs.
NYSE symbol: YOKU
Market cap: US$2.43-billion
12. Focus Media Holding Limited — Hong Kong
The company claims to operate China’s largest lifestyle targeted interactive digital media network — in other words it operates an outdoors advertising network comprising digital screens. It also owns Allyes Information Technology Company – China’s largest online ad agency.
Towards the end of last year the company was accused of fraud, overstating the number of screens in its network as well as other dodgy dealings, according to Reuters.
Nasdaq symbol: FMCN
Market cap: US$3.10-billion
11. Siliconware Precision Industries Company, Ltd. — Taiwan
SPIL provides semi-conductor assembly and test services. It products are used on PCs, cellphones, digital cameras, cable modems, PDAs and LCD monitors.
Nasdaq symbol: SPIL
Market cap: US$3.38-billion
10. AU Optronics Corp — Taiwan
AUO is one of the leading producers of TFT-LCD display panels in the world with 16% market share of large-sized panels, 45,000 employees and offices in Taiwan, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the USA and Europe.
NYSE symbol: AUO
Market cap: US$3.48-billion
9. Sina Corporation — China
An online media company targeting Chinese communities worldwide. Its services include microblogging platform Sina Weibo, Sina Online, Sina Mobile and Sina.net.
Nasdaq symbol: SINA
Market cap: US$3.93-billion
8. Flextronics International Ltd. — Singapore
Global electronics design, fabrication, assembly and testing company producing printed circuit boards, metal and plastics.
Nasdaq symbol: FLEX
Market cap: US$4.07-billion
7. United Microelectronics Corporation — Taiwan
UMC develops and produces components for the integrated circuit (IC) industry. It was the first semiconductor foundry to ship copper wafers, produce chips on 300mm wafers and to deliver functional 65-nanometer ICs.
NYSE symbol: UMC
Market cap: US$5.17-billion
6. Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
ASE says it is the world’s largest provider of independent semiconductor manufacturing services in assembly and test.
NYSE symbol: ASX
Market cap: US$5.70-billion
5. Avago Technologies Limited — Singapore
Avago Technologies is a leading supplier of analogue interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications.
Nasdaq symbol: AVGO
Market cap: US$8.41-billion
4. Wipro Limited — India
Bangalore-based Wipro offers IT, consulting and outsourcing services. It has 130 000 employees in 54 countries around the world.
NYSE symbol: WIT
Market cap: US$20.94-billion
3. Infosys Limited — India
The consulting company offers business consulting, technology, engineering and outsourcing services to companies in 30 countries.
Nasdaq symbol: INFY
Market cap: US$25.46 billion
2. Baidu, Inc. — China
Chinese web services company offering Chinese language web search, multimedia content, community services and mobile search. It has also released a low-cost smartphone (Changhong H5018) that works on its own operating system Cloud.
Nasdaq symbol: BIDU
Market cap: US$39.62-billion
1. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited — Taiwan
Top of the pile, TSMC is another semiconductor foundry manufacturing wafers for IC suppliers around the world.
NYSE symbol: TSM
Market cap: US$80.09-billion
Image: Big Stock Photo
