These Tech Giants Seem Unstoppable

Apple, Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook are the five most valuable companies in the U.S. They've been called the Big Five or the Frightful Five and surely a few other names. Bloomberg QuickTake looks at how these tech companies have developed their huge market shares. Is it time to break them up?

Video by Henry Baker and Madeline Quinn

NOTE: Video was re-uploaded to correct error in the description of market shares.

QuickTake Originals is Bloomberg's official premium video channel. We bring you insights and analysis from business, science, and technology experts who are shaping our future. We’re home to Hello World, Giant Leap, Storylines, and the series powering CityLab, Bloomberg Businessweek, Bloomberg Green, and much more.

Subscribe for business news, but not as you've known it: exclusive interviews, fascinating profiles, data-driven analysis, and the latest in tech innovation from around the world.

Visit our partner channel QuickTake News for breaking global news and insight in an instant.

[business]

Note: there was an error in the previous version. We apologize for the re-upload. Thanks for watching!

[CuriousKid]

Where the hell is Theodore Roosevelt when you need him?!!!

[Midironica]

A lot of people overlook the fact that acquisition by big companies can actually inspire investment in smaller companies. If for instance Amazon is planning to branch into computer software, VCs might be inclined to invest in a small company making collaborative document creation software that rivals Google Docs. Acquisition means a fast return on investment for the VC and a big payoff to the small company founder, giving them capital with which to start a new venture.
So personally, I think "The Big Five" are fine just where they are. However, I do think the US should put more emphasis on computer coding and software design in its education system. One thing that could stifle innovation and competition is if the Big Five are able to gobble up the lion's share of elite software engineers every year.

[Vicful]

Ahahah "competition is one click away" easy to say when you've got a huge market share, pretty much no competition and customers are deeply attached to you and your brand. If Apple and Facebook can face some competition Amazon and Google are pretty much all alone in their markets.

[deeecks]

That's what they said about MySpace.

[mervinthomas]

These companies are not monopolies. Back when Theodore was president he broke up standard oil because it had complete dominance over the market which was able to crush small players. In todays case these big 5 companies acquire smaller companies at well above their market value which is a net benefit to both the parties, and hire many people who are mostly paid in the 6 figure ranges (developer and engineers).

[iriemonmon]

You put Microsoft in the big 5, but you failed to add any stats on the company...

[liberadoporpatriotas]

Standard Oil
US Steel
General Electric
Any coincidence?

[MobFactory]

1:14 ! That graph is so misleading! Yes ok the number was bigger in the past but the first bar has a range of 29 years and the second only 14. Not misleading at all huh...

[xxxdevxxx]

FB is the most evil company, trust me. I'm a FB advertiser so I know what goes on under all those likes

[ganeshtamboli]

Apple really ? Google and Amazon yes !

[MrTomtomtest]

They seem unstoppable because some people don't seem to get that a company's SOLE purpose is to make money. That is why you need regulations, otherwise it is a race to the bottom where the companies with the least ethics & moral win, especially on established & competitive markets. Why regulations are seen in such a bad way by some is beyond me, I'm sure they are right in some cases but GAFAs definitely need more regulation on many things ranging from privacy to hate speech, racism and sexism. Regulation are the only thing that can protect us, the PEOPLE from the LEGAL CONSTRUCTS that are companies.

[andyyoo]

Free market please. These companies started from scratch against dominate companies at the time. Other startups can do the same and compete if they are willing and brave enough.

[FeaturingDiversity]

LOL Monopolies aren't allowed in most developped countries

[brandon]

the future of "too big to fail"

[lugd]

The BIG FIVE are a group of 5 organizations that are alphabet, amazon, apple, meta and microsoft

[joep]

What is a "monopoly case?" They just said monopolies are not illegal so why would there be cases against them?

[highbrAned]

Google... then click this magical button !

[johnjohnson]

This companys is not a monopoly they dominated the market place with the product or service they are selling so why the hell do you want to limited the product or service they are providing. What the hell are you guys thinking!!!

[siddarthaekalavya]

I think Google is the most vulnerable company among them.