Google, Amazon fill out top three

For a sixth year in a row, Apple has claimed the top position in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Companies list. The chart is based on a poll of executives. "Apple has had a rough time lately with its stock price in a free fall and the widely publicized failure of its Maps feature," Fortune writes. "However, it remains a financial juggernaut, posting $13 billion in net income last quarter, making it the most profitable company in the world during that period. The company has its fanatical customer base, and it still refuses to compete on price, making the iconic iPhone and iPad products that are still widely seen as prestige devices. Competition may be stiff, but so far it remains behind: In Q4 2012, the iPhone 5 was the world's best selling smartphone, followed in second place by the iPhone 4S."

Two other high-tech companies, Google and Amazon, are in second and third behind Apple. The remainder of the top 10 includes Coca-Cola, Starbucks, IBM, Southwest Airlines, Berkshire Hathaway, Disney, and FedEx.

by MacNN Staff