For the 19th year in a row, Apple has claimed the top spot on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list. Here are the details.
19 years on the top and counting
According to Fortune, its yearly World’s Most Admired Companies ranking is “based on a poll of some 3,000 executives, directors, and analysts,” who rate companies within their own industries across criteria such as management quality, products, social responsibility, and ability to attract talent.
And as the publication notes, Apple came out on top for the 19th consecutive year, despite the respondents’ recognition of the impact that AI has been having on every market.
Over the past year, Apple also ranked 8th on Fortune’s Global 500 list, 4th on the famous Fortune 500 list, 3rd on Fortune’s America’s Most Innovative Companies list, and 1st on Fortune’s Sector Leaders: Technology list.
Here’s what Fortune had to say about this year’s ranking:
Apple watchers may fret about its lack of progress in AI, but it still gets top marks from survey respondents who value the smart management of talent, capital, and supply chains as highly as they do innovation. That said, AI is a major force shaping this year’s list: GPU juggernaut Nvidia lands at No. 4, while two newcomers—chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (No. 48) and enterprise tech platform Workday (tied for No. 49)—can thank AI for their growing prominence.
And here’s a look at Fortune’s top 10 World’s Most Admired Companies for 2026:
Apple Microsoft Amazon Nvidia JPMorgan Chase Berkshire Hathaway Costco Wholesale Alphabet Walmart American Express
Compared to last year’s list, the top 10 saw some shuffling, but no new companies overtaking older ones. JPMorgan Chase climbed 2 spots, while Walmart overtook Alphabet.
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