The Seven Oldest Companies on the New York Stock Exchange

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The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was first established on March 8, 1817. Today it is the world's largest stock exchange by far, with a total market capitalization of over $16 trillion. It has over 1,850 listings of publicly traded companies. Throughout its 198-year history, many companies have gone public on the NYSE and gotten delisted due to bankruptcy. Here are the seven companies that have been listed on the NYSE the longest and the seven oldest companies still listed on the NYSE.

Companies that have been listed on NYSE the longest:

  1. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK), or BNY Mellon, has been listed on the NYSE the longest. It is also the second oldest company listed on the NYSE. Its predecessor, The Bank of New York, was founded in 1784 by Alexander Hamilton. The Bank of New York was the first company to be publicly traded on the NYSE in 1792. BNY Mellon was created through merger in 2007. The multinational financial services company is the 20th oldest bank in the world.
  2. Consolidated Edison (NYSE: ED). The energy company was founded in 1823 and listed on the NYSE in 1824. It is one of the largest energy producers in the world. It provides electrical, gas, and steam systems and infrastructure services to customers.
  3. Proctor & Gamble (NYSE: PG). The consumer goods conglomerate was founded in 1837 and listed on the NYSE in 1891. It owns 80 brands, including Ivory, Crisco, and Tide.
  4. International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM). The technology and consulting company was founded in 1911 and listed on the NYSE in 1916. It has invented things like the hard drive, financial swaps, and Watson artificial intelligence.
  5. Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) The beverage company was founded in Cincinnati in 1886 and listed on the NYSE in 1920. It is headquartered in Atlanta and supported Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights movement.
  6. Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). The multinational pharmaceutical company was founded in 1849 and listed on the NYSE in 1942. It is known for Lipitor, Zithromax, and Viagra. Pfizer is expected to merge with Allergan (NYSE: AGN) this year.
  7. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ). The multinational medical devices, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods company was founded in 1886 and listed on the NYSE in 1944. It is known for Tylenol, Band-Aid, and the Red Cross symbol.

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The oldest companies listed on NYSE

  1. The oldest company listed on the NYSE is Sotheby's (NYSE: BID). The multinational auctioneering and special retail company was founded in London in 1744. It was listed on the NYSE on 1988. It is one of the world's largest brokers of art, collectibles, jewelry, and real estate. It is now headquartered in New York City.
  2. Cigna (NYSE: CI). The healthcare company was founded in 1792 and listed on the NYSE in 1982. It provides medical, life, disability, and accident insurance and related products and services. Cigna's slogan is "We Can Help You Be at Your Best."
  3. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company (NYSE: DD). The chemicals and materials giant was founded in 1802 by a political refugee of the French Revolution. It was listed on the NYSE in 1978. It began as a gunpowder mill. DuPont is expected to merge with Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW) this year.
  4. Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL). The consumer goods conglomerate was founded in 1806 and listed on the NYSE in 1978. It produces and distributes household, healthcare, personal, and veterinary products. It has owned or currently owns hundreds of brands, including Ajax, Hill's, and Tom's of Maine.
  5. The Valspar Company (NYSE: VAL). The American materials company was founded in Boston in 1806 and listed on the NYSE in 1978. It manufactures paints and coatings. Valspar owns many brands, including House of Kolor and US Chemical & Plastics.
  6. John Wiley & Sons Inc. (NYSE: JW.A). The international publishing company was founded in New York City in 1807 and listed on the NYSE in 1978. Wiley is known for the For Dummies series.
All of these corporations have had long-lasting legacies and success. They are older than many foreign countries and regimes. Today most are household names. $1,000 invested in each of these companies in their initial public offerings would have returned millions. May they continue to prosper and uphold the American tradition of financial capitalism.

The author does not hold any positions in any of the stocks above.