• Australia's largest state hits record-high COVID-19 cases despite weeks of strict lockdown. 'It's a tinderbox ready to explode,' one official said.
• eToro says crypto made up 73% of trading commissions in the last quarter, as retail customers dived in
• A flight attendant says she was too exhausted to report a passenger who shoved her when a flight was overbooked: report
• US jobless claims climb for first time in 5 weeks, to 353,000

APPLE HAS ONCE again retained its position as the world’s most valuable brand, according to brand management firmIn terbrand’s annual rankings of the “best global brands.”

Technology and automotive brands dominated the rankings of 100 companies, taking up a combined 28 spots in the list.

The “top riser” this year was Facebook, which improved its brand value by 54% — but it sat outside of the top 10, in 23rd.

The ranking is based on a combination of the brands’ financial performance, the role the brand plays in influencing customer choice, and the strength the brand has to command a premium price or secure profit for the company.

10. Amazon

Chris Radburn / PA Wire Chris Radburn / PA Wire / PA Wire

• Brand value: $37.9 billion (€33.9bn)
• Percentage change from last year: +29%
• Last year’s rank: 15

9. McDonald’s

Anthony Devlin / PA Wire Anthony Devlin / PA Wire / PA Wire

• Brand value: $39.8 billion (€35.6bn)
• Percentage change from last year: -6%
• Last year’s rank: 9

8. GE

AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar, File AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar, File / Gene J. Puskar, File

• Brand value: $42.3 billion (€37.8bn)
• Percentage change from last year: -7%
• Last year’s rank: 6

7. Samsung

Laura Lean / PA Wire Laura Lean / PA Wire / PA Wire

• Brand value: $45.3 billion (€40.52bn)
• Percentage change from last year: 0%
• Last year’s rank: 7

6. Toyota

Rui Vieira / PA Archive/PA Images Rui Vieira / PA Archive/PA Images / PA Archive/PA Images

• Brand value: $49 billion (€43.83bn)
• Percentage change from last year: +16%
• Last year’s rank: 8

5. IBM

Associated Press Associated Press

• Brand value: $65.1 billion (€58.23bn)
• Percentage change from last year: -10%
• Last year’s rank: 4

4. Microsoft

AP Photo / Ted S. Warren AP Photo / Ted S. Warren / Ted S. Warren

• Brand value: $67.7 billion (€60.55bn)
• Percentage change from last year: +11%
• Last year’s rank: 5

3. Coca-Cola

JeepersMedia JeepersMedia

• Brand value: $78.4 billion (€70.12bn)
• Percentage change from last year: -4%
• Last year’s rank: 3

2. Google

PA WIRE PA WIRE

• Brand value: $120.3 billion (€107.6bn)
• Percentage change from last year: +12%
• Last year’s rank: 2

1. Apple

Yui Mok Yui Mok

• Brand value: $170.3 billion (€152.32bn)
• Percentage change from last year: +43%
• Last year’s rank: 1

- Lara O’Reilly

Read: These are Ireland’s least favourite companies >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More