Forbes has released a list of American family-owned companies that\nare private or not publicly traded with the highest valuations in 2026.\nPreviously, the ranking was based solely on total annual revenue.<\/p>\n
Measuring business scale through estimated valuations provides a new\nperspective, with the top three companies recording valuations above\nUS$100 billion. The figure has succeeded in eclipsing the value of\nseveral leading technology start-ups such as SpaceX and OpenAI.<\/p>\n
These family companies operate in fundamental sectors, ranging from\nsupermarket chains to consumer products, with operations spread across\n16 states.<\/p>\n
Most entities tend not to seek the public spotlight. All firms on the\nlist are controlled by founding families through the second generation\nor beyond, excluding entities still exclusively owned by\nfirst-generation founders.<\/p>\n
Dominance of Industrial Conglomerates and Consumer Goods<\/p>\n
Topping the list is Koch, with an estimated valuation of US$185\nbillion. The Wichita, Kansas-based conglomerate was pioneered by Fred\nKoch in 1940 after discovering a new method of refining oil. Today, 84%\nof the company\u2019s shares are held by the Charles and Julia Koch family.\nThe revenue-generating entity of US$125 billion has expanded into\nchemicals, software, and commercial paper products.<\/p>\n
The second place is held by Mars, valued at US$121 billion. Founded\nby Frank Mars in 1911, the chocolate maker of M&M\u2019s remains 100%\ncontrolled by the founding family. Mars has aggressively diversified\ninto the pet-care sector and successfully acquired Kellanova for US$36\nbillion to augment its portfolio of well-known brands.<\/p>\n
Finance, Retail, and Agriculture Giants<\/p>\n
Fidelity Investments takes third place with a valuation of US$107\nbillion. Established in 1946, the company manages assets of about\nUS$17.9 trillion. Led by the third generation, Fidelity is known as a\npioneer of telephone-based mutual fund purchases and the launch of a\ncryptocurrency platform in 2018. The Johnson family holds 49% of the\nshares, with the remaining 51% owned by company employees.<\/p>\n
Publix ranks fourth with US$63.1 billion. Founded in Florida in 1940,\nthe chain now operates more than 1,400 supermarkets across eight states,\nwith 20% of its shares still owned by the Jenkins family.<\/p>\n
Cargill takes fifth place with US$58.7 billion. As the oldest entity\non the list, dating back to 1865, Cargill recorded revenues of US$154\nbillion. Its business spans agriculture and commodity risk management,\nwith 88% of shares held collectively by more than 100 family\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Expansion of Fast-Food and Media<\/p>\n
Chick-fil-A sits sixth with a valuation of US$46.1 billion. The\nrestaurant chain, with revenues of US$10.3 billion, has been wholly\nowned by the Cathy family since 1967. While maintaining the policy of\nclosing on Sundays, the company continues to aggressively expand\ninternationally into markets such as the United Kingdom and\nSingapore.<\/p>\n
Cox Enterprises ranks seventh with a valuation of US$35.8 billion.\nOriginating from a newspaper business in 1898, the company with revenues\nof US$23.1 billion expanded into cable and radio broadcasting. It\ncurrently processes the sale of a cable unit valued at US$21.9 billion\nthat is awaiting regulator approval in California.<\/p>\n
Home Goods and Distribution Network<\/p>\n
In eighth place is SC Johnson, valued at US$29.8 billion. Founded in\n1886, the company with revenues of US$13 billion produces well-known\nhousehold brands such as Windex and Ziploc, with 100% ownership held by\nthe Johnson family.<\/p>\n
Ninth is H-E-B, the Texas-based supermarket chain valued at US$27.4\nbillion. Established in 1905 with only US$60, this company, with\nrevenues of US$49.6 billion, has 87% of the shares operationally\ncontrolled by the Butt family.<\/p>\n
Reyes Holding completes the top ten with a valuation of US$24.5\nbillion. Originating as a beer distributor in 1976, the company with\nrevenues of US$45 billion has developed into a global food distributor\nfully owned by the Reyes family.<\/p>\n
Disclaimer: This article is a journalistic product of CNBC Indonesia\nResearch. The analysis is not intended to solicit or endorse purchases\nor sales of any investment products or sectors. Decisions are entirely\nat the reader\u2019s discretion, and we do not accept liability for any\nlosses or gains arising from such decisions.<\/p>\n
CNBC INDONESIA RESEARCH<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/americas-10-largest-business-dynasties-filthy-rich-but-mysterious-1779531568", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }