Fortune and Korn Ferry Reveal the 2025 World's Most Admired Companies List

Apple returns as No. 1 on the 27th version of the annual Top 50 All-Stars' List

WMAC list includes 229 firms based in the U.S., 59 in Europe, 26 in Asia/Pacific region

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 18^th year running, Apple leads the list of the World's Most Admired Companies. The list, in its 27^th year, is created in partnership between Fortune and Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY).

The World's Most Admired Companies list highlights organizations most respected by their peers, with executives emphasizing financial stability, innovation, respected leadership, and expansion of global businesses. This year's top five, following Apple, include Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, and Berkshire Hathaway. Several of these companies have been on the Most Admired list for years, a remarkable testament to their achievements during volatile times both politically and culturally.

Representing over 50 industries spanning the world, the list includes 229 U.S.-based companies, 59 in Europe, and 26 in the Asia/Pacific region.

Here are the 2025 Korn Ferry and Fortune Top 10 WMAC All-Stars:

1. Apple
2. Microsoft
3. Amazon
4. Nvidia
5. Berkshire Hathaway
6. Costco Wholesale
7. JPMorgan Chase
8. Walmart
9. Alphabet
10. American Express

The All-Stars are the Top 50 most admired companies across all industries. Top-scoring attributes among the All-Stars remain financial stability, strong management, and global reach. Click here for the complete list.

The 2025 top 50 saw four new entrants: Caterpillar (#40), ServiceNow (#42), Taiwan Semiconductor (#45), and Novo Nordisk (#46). These new companies were propelled onto the list by broad confidence in their operations and success at innovation in new fields, such as healthcare and science for weight loss products. The companies on the list rank in the top half of their industries for overall reputation.

Notable industry leaders include:

• Walmart (All-Star rank: #8) in General Merchandise
• Coca-Cola (#12) in Beverages
• Netflix (#15) in Entertainment
• Eli Lilly (#21) in Pharmaceuticals
• Singapore Airlines (#28) in Airlines
• Accenture (#30) in Information Technology Services
• Morgan Stanley (#33) in Megabanks

Four industries – computer software, general merchandisers, megabanks, and pharmaceuticals – tied for top overall representation with four companies each.

"The staying power of companies at the top of the WMAC list is notable. This recognition reflects their agility in not only adapting to market changes, but also leading these changes in turbulent times," said Mark Royal, a Korn Ferry senior client partner and employee engagement specialist. "In this environment – amid regulatory and geopolitical risks, rapid technological advancements and heightened competitive pressures – these companies are change-ready and learning-agile."

"The world's most admired companies don't earn their ranking through financial results alone. They also get there through the reputation of their leadership, their ability to attract and retain top talent, and a strong culture," said Laura Manson-Smith, Korn Ferry's global leader of organization strategy consulting. "The best strategy on paper is worth nothing without an engaged and skilled workforce to make it happen."

"Fortune is proud to recognize all the companies on this year's World's Most Admired Companies list, especially the top 50 All-Stars, who represent the pinnacle of excellence across industries," said Alyson Shontell, Fortune Editor in Chief. "Their ability to consistently earn this recognition is truly impressive and a testament to their high standards, resilience, and vision in a challenging global business environment."

Korn Ferry and Fortune analyzed 650 companies and surveyed more than 3,300 executives to measure reputation based on nine different attributes, including each firm's effectiveness in conducting business globally, its ability to attract, develop, and keep talent, its value as a long-term investment, its innovativeness, its wise use of corporate assets, and its responsibility to the community and environment. The full methodology can be found here.

Additional data that explores the talent strategies and growth levers implemented by the World's Most Admired Companies is forthcoming in the next month.

Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies ranking is sponsored by JobsOhio.

About Korn Ferry:
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers.

About Fortune:
Fortune is a global multi-platform media company built on a legacy of trusted, award-winning reporting and information for those who want to make business better. Independently owned, Fortune tells the stories of the world's biggest companies and their leaders as well as a new generation of innovators who are moving business forward. Digitally and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks, and holds companies accountable, in regions around the world. Its iconic rankings include Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, Most Powerful Women, and World's Most Admired Companies. Fortune builds world-class communities by convening industry thought leaders for exclusive summits and conferences, including the Fortune Global Forum, Brainstorm Tech, and Fortune Most Powerful Women. For more information, visit fortune.com.

Media Contacts:
Patrick Reilly
Fortune
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Chelsea Hudson
Fortune
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Stacy Rozen
Korn Ferry
310-556-8502
[email protected]

SOURCE Fortune Media (USA) Corporation