Apple has been awarded the number one spot on Fortune's annual list of the "World's Most Admired Companies." The 2017 list marks Apple's tenth consecutive win as the most admired company in the world according to Fortune, which collected the data from 3,800 executives, analysts, directors, and industry experts to end up with the final ranking.

After Apple, the top five slots are rounded out by Amazon, Starbucks, Berkshire Hathaway, and Disney. Last year, Alphabet ranked in second place but the company has fallen down to sixth in 2017. One of Apple's direct rivals in the hardware and software space, Microsoft, has been placed in the ninth spot in a tie with Facebook.

fortune list respected
Fortune ranks companies through a collection of "key attributes of reputation," including areas like innovation, people management, social responsibility, and quality of products/services. This year, however, Apple's industry rank wasn't reported "due to an insufficient response rate in the computer industry."

Like in previous iterations, Fortune started the list by looking at a collection of the 1,000 largest U.S. companies ranked by revenue, along with 500 non-U.S. companies with revenue of $10 billion or more. The list was then further whittled down to 680 companies in 28 countries, and Fortune survey collaborator Korn Ferry Hay Group began asking the 3,800 experts to rank companies on the nine criteria.

Tag: Fortune

Top Rated Comments

dannyyankou Avatar
117 months ago
Fortune ranks companies through a collection of "key attributes of reputation," including areas like innovation, people management, social responsibility, and quality of products/services.
I'm surprised Tesla is nowhere to be found on this list.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kabeyun Avatar
117 months ago
I'm surprised Tesla is nowhere to be found on this list.
I don't think they're big on the social responsibility radar. You could argue that pushing batteries over petrochemicals is indirectly socially responsible, but I don't think that's what Fortune or the rankers mean.

Tesla is also not yet turning a profit. Don't know if this matters for the "admired" rankings, but I'd think a company's sustainability should factor in to how well it's admired, or at least respected, by industry experts.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1applerules1 Avatar
117 months ago
Haters what happened? I thought Apple was failing.oh wait, you're all just a bunch of nagging babies XD
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
slicktor Avatar
117 months ago
Kind of funny how Apple is categorized under the industry of Computers... Where's that Mac Pro update Tim?!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glassed Silver Avatar
117 months ago
Haters what happened? I thought Apple was failing.oh wait, you're all just a bunch of nagging babies XD
I can't speak for the haters, but quite commonly it's people like you who try to make it personal.

Do you have anything of substance to add to the matter? This list is created by a company (Fortune), there is no actual massive study and to be frank, the popularity of a company certainly hasn't dipped with Average Joe, at least not all that much, what has dipped is their level of care, but your username and your relatively recent dedication to it (2015) leads me to believe that your opinion differs greatly and that is a-ok, just know that some folks are used to an Apple that tries a lot harder and doesn't forget about categories of users that you may not fall into. Lucky you, because trust me, I'd love to be all around content with Apple again and stop worrying about the future of the quite expensive, but often depended upon products I buy from them that stay uncontested in many regards, but very contested in others...

Glassed Silver:win
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarpalMac Avatar
117 months ago
Believe it or not, but everything they produce with silicone inside counts as a computer.
Everything? ;)
http://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MKY02ZM/A/iphone-6-6s-silicone-case-charcoal-grey
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Foldable Thumb

First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed

Monday February 2, 2026 7:19 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...