What is Market Capitalization? Learn about market capitalization, its value and how to calculate it

Date posted:

Ngày cập nhật: 28/08/2025
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Index

What is capitalization?

What is capitalization?? It can be understood as a financial term used to refer to the total value of a business on the market or the total value of investments. This is an important factor in assessing the scale and development potential of a business in the long term.

Capitalization can be used in many areas, from corporate finance to the stock market, to help investors better understand the actual value of a company.

Concept of capitalization 

What is market capitalization?

Market capitalization is the total value of all outstanding shares of a company listed on a stock exchange, calculated by multiplying the current market price of a share by the total number of shares outstanding.

This index is one of the important criteria to evaluate the size of a business and compare it with other companies in the market. Companies with large market capitalization are usually those with a solid position, stable operations and significant influence on the market. In contrast, companies with small market capitalization often have high growth potential but also come with greater risks.

Based on capitalization, companies are divided into three main groups:

  • Large-cap companies: Usually valued at over $10 billion, including large corporations with a long history and a strong position in the market.
  • Mid-cap companies: Valued between $2 billion and $10 billion, these are typically businesses that are in a strong growth phase.
  • Small-cap: Under $2 billion, typically emerging companies with high growth potential but also greater risk.

Market capitalization can fluctuate over time as stock prices change, influenced by factors such as business results, market trends, economic conditions or important events affecting the company.

What is market capitalization?

Market capitalization is a term used to refer to the total market value of a company or asset. It is an important factor that helps investors, businesses and financial experts evaluate the size, growth potential and risk level of an investment.

The figure shows what the value is.

Market Capitalization (Market Cap):

This is the total value of a listed company's outstanding shares. This index helps assess the company's size and influence on the stock market.

Financial market capitalization:

In addition to businesses, capitalization is also used to measure the total value of a financial market (for example, the total capitalization of the US or European stock markets, or the cryptocurrency market).

Real estate capitalization:

In real estate, capitalization is calculated based on the total value of assets owned and revenue from leasing or selling assets.

Private Enterprise Capitalization:

For unlisted companies, market capitalization is often estimated based on funding rounds, assets, and operating profits.

Crypto Market Cap:

Is the total value of all cryptocurrencies in circulation on the market. This is an important factor in assessing the size and popularity of a cryptocurrency.

The importance of market capitalization

  • Assessing company size: Market capitalization helps compare the size of companies in the same industry, helping investors choose companies that suit their risk appetite.
  • Determine risk level and growth potential: Large-cap companies are generally stable but slow growing, while small-cap companies have great potential but higher risk.
  • Impact on investment strategy: Investors often allocate portfolios based on capitalization to balance returns and risks.

What is market capitalization?

Market Capitalization (Market Cap) is the total value of all shares of a company that are currently traded on the stock market. This index is calculated by multiplying the current share price by the total number of outstanding shares.

Market capitalization = Stock price x Number of outstanding shares

This is an important measure that helps investors assess the strength, influence and stability of a company compared to other businesses in the same industry or in the entire financial market.

What is the concept of market capitalization?

Why is market capitalization important?

Reflecting the size of the business:

Large-cap companies are often long-standing businesses with stable business models and are less susceptible to market risks.

Small-cap companies often have strong growth potential but come with higher risk.

Help investors classify and choose suitable stocks:

Investors with low risk appetite often choose large-cap stocks due to their stability and ability to pay high dividends.

Investors looking for high returns may be interested in mid- and small-cap companies, as they have strong growth potential.

Impact on market index:

Large-cap companies often have a big impact on stock indexes such as VN-Index, S&P 500, Dow Jones, etc.

When the capitalization of leading companies increases or decreases, it can change the overall trend of the market.

Factors affecting market capitalization

Stock price fluctuations:

If the stock price increases, the market capitalization also increases, and vice versa.

Stock split or additional issuance policy:

When a company issues additional shares, the capitalization may change if the share price does not increase accordingly.

Business results and growth potential:

A company with good profits and sustainable development strategies will attract many investors, increasing stock prices and market capitalization.

Impact from market and macro economy:

As the stock market grows, the share prices of many companies also increase, pushing up their market capitalization.

Conversely, during economic downturns, falling stock prices lead to a decline in capitalization.

How to calculate market capitalization

Market capitalization is the overall value of a company on the stock market, calculated by multiplying the current stock price by the number of outstanding shares of that company. The formula is as follows:

Market Capitalization = Current Stock Price × Number of Outstanding Shares

For example, if a company has a stock price of $50 and has 1 million shares outstanding, then its market capitalization would be:

50 USD × 1,000,000 = 50 million USD

Market capitalization is an important indicator that helps investors assess a company's size and its influence on the market.

Factors affecting market capitalization

  • Stock price fluctuations: As stock prices rise or fall, market capitalization changes as well.
  • Number of shares outstanding: If a company issues additional shares or buys back treasury stock, market capitalization is also affected.
  • Economic conditions and fiscal policies: Macroeconomic factors such as interest rates, inflation and monetary policy can also impact market capitalization.

Application of market capitalization in investment

  • Investors use market capitalization to classify stocks:

Large-cap stocks: Usually highly stable, low volatility.

Mid-cap stocks: Growth potential but higher risk.

Small cap stocks: Can bring big returns but also high risk.

  • Used to evaluate a business's position in the market.
  • Help investment funds choose investment portfolios that suit their risk appetite.

Here is an overview of What is capitalization? LiveTrade Pro has given us the concept, calculation and application in investment. Understanding capitalization helps investors make accurate decisions, optimize investment portfolios and minimize risks when participating in the financial market.

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