For the first time, Apple has topped the list of the world’s most valuable brands. According to WPP’s annual BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study, Apple now has a value of over $153 billion, up a whopping 85 percent from last year. Google, which had been at the top of the list for the past four years, was bumped down to second place, dropping in value by 2 percent to $111 billion. IBM, McDonald’s, and Microsoft round out the top five.
The study also found that, in part due to the economic recovery of the past year, the combined value of all brands in the top 100 rose by 17 percent and is now worth a total of $2.4 trillion.
Technology and telecom brands dominated the rankings, while heritage brands like Coca-Cola (No. 6) and GE (No. 10) stayed relevant. Fast-food brands led sector growth, followed by luxury and tech brands. Meanwhile, the oil and gas sector experienced the slowest rate of growth. Toyota, at $24.1 billion, reclaimed its spot as the world’s most valuable car brand.
