Fortune released its Top 50 Most Admired Companies in the world this week. Here, the top 10:
1. Apple: Despite a shaky year for computer companies, Apple posted increased sales in iPods and Macs.
2.. Berkshire Hathaway: The firm owned by Warren Buffet invested billions in preferred stocks for General Electric and Goldman Sachs, despite the company’s own struggles.
3. Toyota: While American car companies floundered and flubbed requests for bailouts, this company stayed strong.
4. Google: This company dropped two places from No.2 last year, but it still posts revenue growth. Plus, you have to love that it offers its employees perks such as extended cafeteria hours and free gourmet food.
5. Johnson & Johnson: This pharmaceutical company is keeping its focus on the future by partnering with Vanderbilt University and acquiring Mentor Corp.
6. Procter & Gamble: This company offers everything from Crest and Tide to Olay and Cover Girl, while innovating with new products such as Febreze. Even in a recession, we still have to clean our clothes and brush our teeth.
7. FedEx: Although this company (hit hard by high gas prices) had to slash employee salaries by 5 percent and nix their 401(k) match, it’s admired because the CEO cut his own pay by 20 percent.
8. Southwest Airlines: While its competitors increased ticket prices and charged for everything from in-flight drinks to checked baggage, this company kept flying on the cheap.
9. General Electric: It was a rough year for this company, but CEO salary cuts and a diverse portfolio should keep this giant’s head above water.
10. Microsoft: After beating out Google to become the default search engine for Verizon wireless users and hiring a former Wal-Mart exec to head the opening of several retails stores, this company made it’s way to the No. 10 spot.
Source:
Fortune: World’s Most Admired Companies
