Apple named Fortune’s Most Admired Company for the 18th consecutive year

For the 18th year in a row, Apple has secured the top spot on Fortune’s annual World’s Most Admired Companies list, further cementing its status as the most respected and influential corporation worldwide. Since 2006, Apple has consistently ranked first, maintaining an unshaken lead despite increasing competition in the technology sector.

Fortune, in partnership with consulting firm Korn Ferry, determines the rankings based on a survey of 3,380 executives, directors, and securities analysts from various industries. Companies are evaluated on nine key attributes, including innovation, investment value, quality of management, financial soundness, social responsibility, and ability to attract talent. Apple has continued to excel in these categories, leading the rankings in innovation, global competitiveness, and financial soundness.

Apple

While Apple has retained its position at the top, the rankings also highlight the growing influence of Big Tech. Microsoft and Amazon secured second and third place, respectively, for the sixth consecutive year, reinforcing their dominance in cloud computing, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.

A major shift in this year’s rankings came from Nvidia, which climbed six spots to secure fourth place. The company’s rapid ascent is attributed to its GPU technology, which has played a pivotal role in advancing generative AI and powering machine learning models used by companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. This surge in AI-driven demand has helped Nvidia surpass a $3 trillion market valuation, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, dropped one spot to fifth place after holding the fourth position last year. Other companies in the top 10 include Costco, JPMorgan Chase, Walmart, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), and American Express, demonstrating a mix of technology, retail, and financial institutions leading the corporate world.

Apple's Fifth Avenue store

Despite increasing competition and market fluctuations, Apple has consistently maintained its reputation as the most admired company globally, a testament to its long-term business strategy and unwavering customer loyalty. Over the years, Apple has been recognized for its commitment to innovation, financial strength, social responsibility, and brand value. The company continues to push the boundaries of consumer technology with products like the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro, along with advancements in chip technology, augmented reality, and services such as Apple Music, iCloud, and Apple Pay.

As one of the world’s most profitable companies, Apple boasts a strong balance sheet, a high-margin services business, and consistent stock performance. Additionally, Apple has led initiatives in environmental sustainability, data privacy, and corporate ethics, making significant investments in renewable energy and carbon neutrality. The company’s unmatched level of customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, along with its seamless ecosystem integration, further solidifies its dominance in the tech industry.

Apple's Fifth Avenue store Vision Pro

While Apple continues to dominate Fortune’s rankings, 2025 presents both challenges and opportunities for the company. The industry’s growing focus on AI and generative models has put pressure on Apple to accelerate its efforts in this area. Critics argue that Apple has been slow to integrate AI-driven features compared to rivals like Microsoft and Google, both of whom have aggressively incorporated AI into their platforms.

Additionally, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory scrutiny in key markets such as China and the European Union pose potential hurdles for Apple’s long-term growth. However, with a strong R&D pipeline and a highly engaged global customer base, Apple is well-positioned to navigate these challenges.

Check out Fortune’s complete list here.

About the Author

Asma is an editor at iThinkDifferent with a strong focus on social media, Apple news, streaming services, guides, mobile gaming, app reviews, and more. When not blogging, Asma loves to play with her cat, draw, and binge on Netflix shows.