10 Biggest Chinese Companies

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On Nov. 12, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order forbidding U.S. investors from investing in companies that he designated “Communist Chinese military companies.” The ban takes effect at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2021 and currently includes 31 companies listed here.

China’s economy has expanded at a torrid pace in recent decades to become the world’s second largest, as measured by nominal GDP. China, the world’s most populous nation, has long been a manufacturing and exporting powerhouse. But the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has slashed China’s growth in the short term. Despite this setback, an increasing number of Chinese companies are now available to U.S. investors. We look below at the 10 biggest Chinese companies by 12-month trailing (TTM) revenue. Unlike major U.S. companies, many Chinese companies on our list are either state-owned or are partly controlled by the state. The list is limited to companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. or Canada, either directly or through ADRs. Some foreign companies may report semiannually, and so may have longer lag times. All data provided by YCharts and as of September 9, 2020.

Some of the stocks below are only traded over-the-counter (OTC) in the U.S., not on exchanges. Trading OTC stocks often carries higher trading costs than trading stocks on exchanges. This can lower or even outweigh potential returns.

  • Revenue (TTM): $355.8 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): $486.6 million
  • Market Cap: $53.9 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -19.9%
  • Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

China Petroleum & Chemical is a producer and distributor of a variety of petrochemical and petroleum products. The company’s products include gasoline, diesel, kerosene, synthetic rubbers and resins, jet fuel, and chemical fertilizers, among other related offerings. Also known as Sinopec, China Petroleum & Chemical is among the largest oil refining, gas, and petrochemical companies in the world. It is administered by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

  • Revenue (TTM): $320.0 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): -$1.8 billion
  • Market Cap: $59.5 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -33.0%
  • Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

Oil and gas company PetroChina is engaged in oil exploration, development, production, and sales. It also manufactures petrochemical products. PetroChina is the exchange-listed branch of the Chinese state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation.

  • Revenue (TTM): $149.6 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): $17.1 billion
  • Market Cap: $189.9 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -11.8%
  • Exchange: OTC

Ping An Insurance is a global financial services company that provides property, casualty, and life insurance products and also banking, trust services, and investment management. The company divides its operation across five “ecosystems” corresponding to financial services, health care, auto services, real estate services, and Smart City, the latter of which aims to improve government agency efficiency and sustainability.

  • Revenue (TTM): $128.2 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): $3.5 billion
  • Market Cap: $14.0 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -1.2%
  • Exchange: OTC

China Railway Group’s main business is construction of transportation infrastructure. Specifically, it builds railways, but it also builds roads, bridges, and tunnels. Separately, China Railway Group is involved in real estate development, engineering surveys, equipment manufacturing, and other related businesses. The Chinese government is a major shareholder.

  • Revenue (TTM): $122.2 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): $41.7 billion
  • Market Cap: $200.1 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -9.3%
  • Exchange: OTC

Industrial and Commercial Bank Of China is the largest bank in the world in terms of total assets under management (AUM) . The bank provides services to companies, individuals and other clients. They include credit cards and loans, financing for businesses, and money management services for companies and high net worth individuals. Though this is a commercial bank, it remains state-owned.

  • Revenue (TTM): $120.5 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): $2.9 billion
  • Market Cap: $9.7 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -30.7%
  • Exchange: OTC

Like China Railway Group above, China Railway Construction Corp. builds transportation infrastructure and facilities including railways, highways, urban track, and a variety of other major projects. China Railway Construction is also involved in materials trading and real estate development. The company operates under the supervision of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. This company is on the list of “Communist Chinese military companies,” included in President Trump’s executive order above.

  • Revenue (TTM): $111.1 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): $7.2 billion
  • Market Cap: $67.4 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 2.6%
  • Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

As its name indicates, China Life Insurance offers a range of group health, life, and accident insurance products. It also sells annuity products to individuals and groups. Like several other companies on this list, it is majority state-owned.

  • Revenue (TTM): $105.6 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): $15.0 billion
  • Market Cap: $140.9 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -13.1%
  • Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

Chinese state-owned China Mobile is a major telecommunications services provider. Among the company’s many product offerings are voice, broadband, and roaming services. China Mobile serves a customer base both in mainland China and in Hong Kong. This company is on the list of “Communist Chinese military companies,” included in President Trump’s executive order above.

  • Revenue (TTM): $104.3 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): $35.6 billion
  • Market Cap: $177.4 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -1.7%
  • Exchange: OTC

China Construction Bank is the second-largest bank in the world by AUM, after Industrial And Commercial Bank of China above. Serving individuals, businesses, and other clients, state-owned China Construction Bank offers banking services including loans and deposits, fund management, and foreign exchange.

  • Revenue (TTM): $93.6 billion
  • Net Income (TTM): $6.9 billion
  • Market Cap: $25.0 billion
  • 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -21.4%
  • Exchange: OTC

Formerly known as the China International Trust Investment Corporation, CITIC is an investment and financial services company owned by the Chinese government. CITIC’s products and services include asset management, banking, insurance, securities, and more.

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