Apple tops ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ list for 14th consecutive year

Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft hold the top three spots in Fortune’s ranking of corporate reputation: the “World’s Most Admired Companies” list.

Apple topped the ranking for the 14th year in a row, based on Fortune’s poll of some 3,800 corporate executives, directors, and analysts. Streaming juggernaut Netflix returned to the top 10. 

Big-box giant Walmart (No. 11) and Target (No. 17) earned their highest rankings since 2011 and 2008, respectively. Chipmaker Nvidia, medical supplier Abbott Laboratories, and fintech pioneer PayPal each made their Top 50 debut.

Here’s what Fortune had to say about Apple: 

Mighty Apple dipped a smidge in 2019, both in terms of sales, down 2% to $260 billion, and in its ranking, from No. 3 to No. 4. The computer and phone maker’s ability to make money cushioned the blow. Apple earned $55 billion. Three categories tell the story of Apple’s sales doldrums. iPhone sales, 55% of Apple’s total, fell 14%. Increases in sales of services like streaming and subscriptions, 18% of the total, grew 16%. And wearables (AirPods and Watches) and other non-phone accessories (iPods, HomePods, and Beats products) leapt 41%, but account for only 9% of the pie.