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Fortune and Korn Ferry Reveal the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies™ 2026 List

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Apple ranks No. 1 for the 19th consecutive year on Fortune's Top 50 All-Stars list of corporate repu...

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Apple continues to dominate the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies list, cementing its reputation through annual recognition by Korn Ferry. This consistent ranking reflects broad industry respect, while Korn Ferry's methodologies emphasize innovation and leadership, potentially boosting investor confidence. The strong recognition enhances KFY's status as a leader in consultancy, suggesting positive future demand for its services.

Sentiment Rationale

KFY's recognition via the WMAC list supports its brand and may lead to increased consultancy demand, paralleling historical cases where accolades bolstered financial performance in service industries.

Trading Thesis

Buy KFY shares as ongoing recognition may enhance its consultancy demand in 2026.

Market-Moving

  • KFY's role in producing the WMAC list could attract more corporate clients.
  • Increasing admiration for top companies could lead to higher consultancy fees for KFY.
  • Any new partnerships stemming from the WMAC recognition could drive KFY's growth.
  • KFY may benefit from increased visibility and trust due to the WMAC rankings.

Key Facts

  • Apple tops Fortune's Most Admired Companies list for 19th year.
  • Korn Ferry created the WMAC list based on over 3,000 industry votes.
  • Notable drops include PepsiCo, Target, and Novo Nordisk from the list.
  • Women-led companies represent 10% of the Most Admired Companies.
  • The event unveils leaders aiming for the future of business innovation.

Companies Mentioned

  • Apple (AAPL): Continues to set industry standards, enhancing KFY’s image.
  • Microsoft (MSFT): Innovative leadership reflects KFY's consultancy impact on major firms.
  • Amazon (AMZN): Admired for stability and innovation, affects KFY's target market.
  • NVIDIA (NVDA): AI advancements boost rankings potentially benefiting associated consultancies.
  • PepsiCo (PEP): Declining from the list may alter strategic consultancy engagements.

Corporate Developments

The article falls under 'Corporate Developments' as it highlights the importance of corporate reputation in driving business strategy and financial performance. KFY's association with the WMAC list signifies its pivotal role in shaping business consultancy and insights, indicating growth as firms seek to emulate admired companies.

Fortune and Korn Ferry Unveil the 2026 List of World's Most Admired Companies

In a remarkable display of corporate reputation, Apple has secured the top position in the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies (WMAC) 2026 List, marking its 19th consecutive year at the forefront. The annual rankings, which highlight corporate excellence and are recognized globally, are a product of a collaborative effort between Fortune and Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY).

Key Highlights from the 2026 WMAC List

The WMAC rankings are derived from a comprehensive survey involving over 3,000 executives, directors, and analysts, emphasizing the importance of peer assessment in determining corporate reputation. Despite concerns regarding its progress in artificial intelligence (AI), Apple remains highly rated due to its effective talent management, capital allocation, and innovative supply chain solutions.

The influence of AI is notably present in this year's list, with NVIDIA making an impressive showing at No. 4, while Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Workday join as newcomers in the rankings at positions 48 and 49, respectively.

Top Companies in the 2026 WMAC Rankings

The WMAC Top 5 features a consistent lineup of corporate heavyweights, underlining their reputation for financial stability and innovative practices:

  • Apple
  • Microsoft
  • Amazon
  • NVIDIA
  • JPMorgan Chase

The complete list of the Top 10 for 2026 includes:

  • Berkshire Hathaway
  • Costco Wholesale
  • Alphabet
  • Walmart
  • American Express

This year, we also see significant drops, including Target, PepsiCo, Novo Nordisk, and Adobe, who no longer appear in the Top 50.

Industry Insights and Female Leadership

The WMAC list features a diverse range of companies across various sectors, totaling 324 organizations globally, with 235 based in the U.S. This year's rankings spotlight a notable representation of female leadership, showcasing 35 female-led companies, amounting to 10% of the total. Among them, several leaders have been recognized in Fortune's 2025 Most Powerful Women in Business list.

Quotes from Industry Leaders

Alyson Shontell, Fortune's Editor in Chief, stated, "Fortune is proud to celebrate the companies on this year's World's Most Admired Companies list; they have set the bar for real innovation, resilient leadership, and global impact."

Mark Royal from Korn Ferry emphasized the importance of sustainable trust, stating, "What sets them apart is not performance in a single year, but their ability to sustain trust and credibility over time."

Laura Manson-Smith, Korn Ferry's global leader, remarked, "Reputation is built from the inside out... The World's Most Admired Companies distinguish themselves by aligning strategy, leadership, and culture."

Upcoming Global Leadership Dinner

As part of the recognition for these leading companies, Fortune will host its annual invite-only Global Leadership Dinner during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. This exclusive event will feature key insights from prominent leaders, further showcasing the innovative spirit present among this year's honorees.

Availability of the WMAC List

The 2026 WMAC list was first published in Fortune's February/March 2026 edition, with digital access available on Fortune.com by February 4, 2026. The magazine will hit newsstands by February 17. For a detailed methodology and insights into this year’s rankings, visit the official Fortune website.

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