Art worth gold: the publicly traded companies that dominate the art market

Art is one of the oldest and most universal forms of human expression, but it is also a very lucrative business. According to The Art Market 2020 report, prepared by Art Basel and UBS, the global art market moved $64.1 billion in 2019, 5% more than the previous year. Within this market, there are companies that are dedicated to the production, distribution, exhibition and sale of works of art, and that are listed on the main stock exchanges in the world. These companies are the ones that dominate the art sector, and their shares can be a profitable and attractive investment for art lovers and investors.

In this article, we are going to show you which are the five largest publicly traded art companies, according to their market value, and what characteristics and advantages each of them has. These are: Netflix, Disney, Sony, IMAX and Cinemark. Each of these companies has a different history, strategy and offering, but they all share the goal of creating, disseminating and monetizing art in its various forms and formats. Do you want to know more about them? Keep reading and find out.

Netflix: the streaming giant

Netflix is the leading company in the streaming market, that is, the transmission of audiovisual content over the Internet. With more than 200 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix offers a catalog of thousands of movies, series, documentaries and original programs, covering all genres, styles and themes. Netflix is a company that produces and distributes art, and that has revolutionized the way it is consumed, by allowing users to choose what, when and how to watch it.

Netflix has been listed on Nasdaq, the stock market for technology companies, since 2002. Its current market value is $226 billion, making it the largest publicly traded art company. Its shares have risen 50% in the past year, boosted by increased demand for online entertainment during the pandemic. Netflix is a company that constantly invests in the creation of original and exclusive content, and that adapts to the preferences and tastes of its users, offering a personalized and quality experience.

Disney: the entertainment empire

Disney is one of the most emblematic and recognized companies in the world of art and entertainment. Founded in 1923 by brothers Walt and Roy Disney, the company has become a giant that covers multiple segments, such as cinema, television, theme parks, video games, merchandising and streaming. Disney is a company that creates and sells art, and that has marked the childhood and culture of entire generations, with its characters, stories and values.

Disney has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1957. Its current market value is $319 billion, making it the second largest publicly traded art company. Its shares have risen 25% in the last year, despite the negative effects of the pandemic on its traditional businesses, such as movie theaters and parks. Disney is a company that has known how to reinvent and diversify, and that has opted for streaming with its Disney+ platform, which already has more than 86 million subscribers around the world.

Sony: the pioneer of technology

Sony is a Japanese company that is dedicated to the manufacturing and marketing of electronic products, such as televisions, cameras, consoles, computers, mobile phones, etc. But it is also a company that produces and distributes art, through its music, film, television and video game divisions. Sony is a company that combines technology and art, and has been a pioneer in the development of innovations that have changed the way we create and enjoy art, such as the walkman, CD, DVD, Blu-ray, PlayStation, etc.

Sony has been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 1958, and also on the New York Stock Exchange since 1970. Its current market value is $120 billion, making it the third largest publicly traded art company. Its shares have risen 40% in the last year, driven by the launch of the PlayStation 5, the most anticipated and demanded video game console on the market. Sony is a company that is characterized by its capacity for innovation and adaptation, and that seeks to offer its customers products and services of high quality and added value.

IMAX: the king of the big screen

IMAX is a Canadian company that is dedicated to the production and exhibition of films in large screen format, with image and sound quality superior to conventional ones. IMAX offers a unique and immersive cinematic experience, allowing the viewer to feel part of the action and emotion of the films. IMAX is a company that promotes and disseminates art, and that collaborates with the best directors, actors and Hollywood studios, to offer films of all genres, from documentaries, to science fiction, action, animation, etc.

IMAX has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1994. Its current market value is $1.3 billion, making it the fourth largest publicly traded art company. Its shares have fallen 20% in the last year, affected by the closure of cinemas and the drop in demand for in-person entertainment due to the pandemic. However, IMAX is a company that has great projection and potential, especially in emerging markets, such as China and India, where it has a large network of theaters and a growing customer base.

Cinemark: the exhibition leader

Cinemark is an American company that is dedicated to the exhibition of films in movie theaters. With more than 6,000 screens in 15 countries, Cinemark is one of the largest and most successful movie theater chains in the world. Cinemark is a company that promotes and disseminates art, and offers its customers a wide variety of films, from major Hollywood releases to local and independent productions. Cinemark also offers complementary services and products, such as popcorn, drinks, candy, etc., to enhance the viewer experience.

Cinemark has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2007. Its current market value is $2.3 billion, making it the fifth largest publicly traded art company. Its shares have fallen 50% in the last year, hit by the impact of the pandemic on the film sector, which has suffered a sharp drop in income and attendance. However, Cinemark is a company that has a solid position and reputation in the market, and is confident in the recovery and growth of the film industry.

As you have seen, art is a very profitable and attractive business, which has publicly traded companies that dominate the art market. These companies are those that create, distribute and sell art, and those that offer consumers a wide variety of options and formats to enjoy art. These companies are also an investment opportunity, since their shares can generate profits and dividends for investors