Texas Companies Shine on Forbes’ Global 2000 List

News Summary

More than 60 Texas-based companies have made it to Forbes’ 2025 list of the world’s largest publicly traded companies. Houston is home to nearly half of these firms, showcasing its growing significance in the business arena. Top-ranking companies include ExxonMobil and Chevron, positioning Texas as a key player in various industries. The trend of corporate relocations to Texas underscores its favorable business environment, further establishing the state’s economic influence on the global stage.

Houston – More than 60 Texas-based companies have secured a place on Forbes’ 2025 list of the world’s 2,000 largest publicly traded companies. This represents a significant portion of the global market, reflecting Texas’s robust economic landscape. Nearly half of these companies are headquartered in Houston, underscoring the city’s growing importance in the business world.

The highest-ranked Texas company on the list is ExxonMobil, located in Spring, which holds the prestigious position of No. 13 worldwide. Following closely behind are other prominent Texas firms such as Chevron at No. 30, AT&T at No. 35, Oracle at No. 66, and Tesla at No. 69. These rankings highlight Texas as a hub for some of the most influential companies in multiple industries, particularly energy and telecommunications.

In a broader context, the United States leads the Forbes Global 2000 list with a total of 612 companies, significantly surpassing China’s 317 companies and Japan’s 180 companies. This dominance emphasizes the economic strength and global influence of American companies, particularly those based in states like Texas.

Forbes’ Global 2000 list is compiled using comprehensive data from FactSet Research, which evaluates companies based on essential criteria, including sales, profit, assets, and market value. The dramatic increase in the size and influence of these companies is evident; the number of global giants has more than tripled in size across various metrics over the past two decades.

Among the Texas companies featured, Houston’s position is particularly noteworthy, as it is now the third-largest metropolitan area for Fortune 500 headquarters, only trailing New York City and Chicago. This growth can be attributed to the city’s favorable business environment and the influx of corporate relocations.

From 2018 to 2024, Houston tied with Phoenix for fourth place in corporate headquarters relocations, with each city attracting 31 relocations during this period. Dallas leads the ranking with 100 relocations, followed by Austin with 81, while Nashville saw 35 relocations. High-profile companies, including Chevron, have relocated their headquarters to Houston, seen by many as a strategic move to enhance market adaptability.

The trend of corporate relocations to Texas reflects broader shifts in business strategies. Companies are increasingly viewing their headquarters as strategic assets, necessary for supporting long-term success and meeting workforce needs. In contrast, California, particularly the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles areas, experienced the highest loss of corporate headquarters in 2024, with 17 relocations—12 of which moved to Texas.

In 2024, Texas accounted for nearly half of all state-to-state corporate relocations, continuing its trend as a destination for businesses seeking more favorable conditions. This robust business environment has not gone unnoticed, leading to Site Selection magazine awarding Texas the 2024 Governor’s Cup for the most corporate relocations and expansions for the 13th consecutive year.

The data and rankings released by Forbes reflect the dynamic nature of the corporate landscape in Texas, particularly in Houston, which has cemented its status as a principal player in the global economy. As globalization continues to influence market structures and corporate strategies, the rise of Texas-based companies illustrates the significant transformations occurring within the economic sphere.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Texas Takes Action on Controversial Food Ingredients
Dallas Welcomes NYSE Texas: A New Era for Business
Texas Launches Historic Bitcoin Reserve
Texas Instruments Announces Major Semiconductor Investment
New York Stock Exchange to Launch NYSE Texas in Dallas
San Antonio Residents Find Relief with Affordable Debt Consolidation
John Paul Mitchell Systems Moves Headquarters to Dallas
Texas Secures 12th Gold Shovel Award for Job Creation
Nouryon Opens Innovation Center for Oilfield Applications in Houston
Texas Legislation Aims to Support ALS Patients

Additional Resources

• Houston Innovation Map
• Wikipedia: Forbes Global 2000
• CultureMap Houston
• Google Search: Forbes Global 2000
• Forbes
• Google Scholar: Forbes Global 2000
• CultureMap Austin
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Forbes Global 2000
• CultureMap Dallas
• Google News: Forbes Global 2000