According to recent research from Deutsche Bank, the “Magnificent 7” U.S. tech giants, including Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla, now possess substantial financial power exceeding that of nearly every other major country globally.
The surge in profits and market capitalizations of these tech behemoths surpasses those of all listed companies in almost every G20 nation, except China and Japan.
Deutsche Bank’s analysts note that the combined market capitalization of the Magnificent 7 would rank as the second-largest country stock exchange globally, with Microsoft and Apple individually matching or exceeding the market caps of entire stock markets in countries like France, Saudi Arabia, and the U.K.
However, this level of concentration raises concerns among some analysts regarding associated risks in both the U.S. and global stock markets.
Jim Reid, head of global economics and thematic research at Deutsche Bank, warns that the current level of concentration in the U.S. stock market rivals historical peaks seen in 2000 and 1929.
Analyzing the trajectories of companies that have historically dominated the S&P 500’s top five most valuable positions, Reid observes a persistence among many of these companies in the upper echelons of market value over time.
Despite occasional fluctuations, companies like Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon have consistently maintained their positions as leading players.
Although Tesla briefly held a top position, its subsequent decline underscores the volatility at the fringes of the Magnificent 7. Nevertheless, the core members of this group remain dominant in the U.S. and global markets.
Despite a subdued global economic outlook in early 2023, stock market returns on Wall Street were remarkable, primarily driven by the performance of the Magnificent Seven, which benefited from AI-driven hype and expectations of interest rate cuts.
Looking ahead, Daniel Casali, chief investment strategist at Evelyn Partners, suggests that opportunities in U.S. stocks may broaden beyond the Magnificent 7 in the coming year due to the resilience of the U.S. economy and improving margins.
Despite rising interest rates, companies have maintained robust sales and earnings, partly due to cost management and household savings from the pandemic.
Moreover, improving profit margins, driven by factors like increased labor supply and technological advancements, support continued earnings growth.
However, Casali warns that investors risk missing out on other opportunities beyond the Magnificent Seven if the market continues to heavily favor these stocks. Despite their impressive performance, broader market participation could offer alternative avenues for growth.
