Market valuations taken as at 05th September 2023.
Disclaimer: Not saying that these are bad companies, but I just think that it is quite interesting to see the huge run up and down. The list is not exhaustive given so many companies make the list. A few I didn’t include: Docusign Inc (DOCU), Digital Turbine Inc (APPS), and Fiverr (FVRR).
The pandemic also coincided with the Quantitative Easing/Quantitative Tightening cycle, so this could have also been called the Quantitative Easing/Quantitative Tightening boom and bust.
1. Zoom ($ZM) – From Meteoric Rise to a New Normal
Market capitalization: $21 billion today vs $168 billion at the peak.
At its peak, Zoom was the poster child of the pandemic era, revolutionizing how we work and connect remotely. Its market cap soared to a staggering $168 billion. Today, as the world adjusts to a hybrid work model, Zoom’s market cap has settled at $21 billion. This rollercoaster journey symbolizes the rapid digital transformation during the pandemic, and how companies adapted to changing circumstances.
2. Peloton ($PTON) – Fitness Frenzy and Market Realignment
Market capitalization: $2 billion today vs $58 billion at the peak.
Peloton was riding high on the home fitness craze during the lockdowns, commanding a $58 billion valuation. However, as gyms reopened and competition intensified, Peloton’s market cap plummeted to $2 billion. It’s a story of how trends can quickly shift in the post-pandemic world, and the importance of staying agile in a competitive market.
3. Carvana ($CVNA) – The Online Car Marketplace Rollercoaster
Market capitalization: $9 billion today vs $68 billion at the peak.
Carvana’s journey from a $68 billion valuation to $9 billion reflects the turbulence in the online car marketplace. As supply chain disruptions and changing consumer behaviors impact the industry, Carvana’s fortunes have mirrored these shifts. It’s a reminder of how external factors can sway market dynamics.
4. Sea Limited ($SE) – Riding the E-commerce Wave
Market capitalization: $22 billion today vs $202 billion at the peak.
Sea Limited’s meteoric rise to a $202 billion market cap and subsequent dip to $22 billion highlights the e-commerce boom during the pandemic. As the company diversified into digital entertainment and financial services, it mirrored the resilience of tech giants in a volatile market.
5. Block ($SQ) – Fintech’s Rollercoaster Ride
Market capitalization: $35 billion today vs $167 billion at the peak.
Square, now known as Block, surged to a $167 billion market cap, only to settle at $35 billion. This journey mirrors the fintech industry’s evolution during the pandemic, with Square’s Bitcoin investments and the rise of decentralized finance contributing to its valuation shifts.
6. Moderna ($MRNA) – The Vaccine Vanguard
Market capitalization: $42 billion today vs $172 billion at the peak.
Moderna’s market cap soared to $172 billion during the race to develop COVID-19 vaccines. As vaccination efforts matured, it settled at $42 billion. This exemplifies the extraordinary role biotech companies played in the pandemic response and their market performance.
7. Etsy ($ETSY) – Artisans Online
Market capitalization: $9 billion today vs $35 billion at the peak.
Etsy’s market cap, which reached $35 billion, reflected the surge in demand for handmade and unique products during lockdowns. Its current valuation at $9 billion illustrates the challenge of sustaining that growth in a post-pandemic world.
8. Fastly ($FSLY) – Content Delivery Dilemma
Market capitalization: $3 billion today vs $16 billion at the peak.
Fastly’s rise to $16 billion and subsequent drop to $3 billion showcases the challenges faced by content delivery companies as online traffic patterns evolved during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in the tech sector.
9. Rivian ($RIVN) – Electric Vehicle Enigma
Market capitalization: $22 billion today vs $123 billion at the peak.
Rivian, a promising electric vehicle startup, saw its market cap peak at $123 billion before settling at $22 billion. This journey underscores the hype and volatility surrounding the EV sector as it matures and faces stiff competition.
10. Roblox ($RBLX) – The Metaverse Mania
Market capitalization: $17 billion today vs $84 billion at the peak.
Roblox’s ascent to an $84 billion valuation was fueled by the growing interest in the metaverse and user-generated content. With a current market cap of $17 billion, it’s a reminder that the metaverse is still evolving and its true potential remains uncertain.
11. Twilio ($TWLO) – Communication in Flux
Market capitalization: $12 billion today vs $80 billion at the peak.
Twilio’s market cap, once at $80 billion, showcases the crucial role communication platforms played during the pandemic. Its current valuation of $12 billion reflects the challenge of maintaining growth in a competitive tech landscape.
12. ARK Innovation ($ARKK) – The ETF Evolution
Market capitalization: $9 billion today vs $28 billion at the peak.
ARK Innovation’s rise to a $28 billion valuation mirrored the popularity of thematic ETFs. With a market cap of $9 billion today, it reflects the changing sentiment towards innovative investments as markets adapt to new economic realities.
13. Snap ($SNAP) – Snap’s Snapback Story
Market capitalization: $17 billion today vs $135 billion at the peak.
Snap’s journey from a $135 billion valuation to $17 billion reflects the volatility in the social media landscape. It highlights the importance of constant innovation to remain relevant in the ever-evolving digital space.
14. Teladoc Health ($TDOC) – The Future of Telemedicine
Market capitalization: $4 billion today vs $49 billion at the peak.
Teladoc Health’s peak at $49 billion reflected the growing acceptance of telemedicine. Its current valuation of $4 billion underscores the challenges in scaling and sustaining growth in the healthcare tech sector.
These valuations not only tell a story of the pandemic but also highlight the evolving nature of technology, markets, and consumer behavior. They serve as a reminder that in the world of investments, adaptability and foresight are key to weathering the storms and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead.
