World's most valuable brands

QuoteInspector // Flickr

World's most valuable brands

As one makes their way down Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles or Fifth Avenue in New York City, they may notice some of the most grandiose, luxurious retail centers in the world. The companies whose products are sold in these stores may be amongst the first to come to mind when one considers the most valuable brands on Earth, likely because of the immense equity these brands boast.

A comprehensive analysis of the 100 most valuable brands on Earth reveals that only 6% exist in the apparel and luxury industries combined, which is notable because of how much apparent effort companies in this sector put into branding. The most successful tech, automotive, and financial companies are sneakily reliant on marketing in order to create a recognizable image in the minds of consumers; one might not necessarily think of their local bank, favorite app, or go-to restaurant chain as the global economic superpowers they are, simply because they’ve become immersed in people’s daily lives.

Using data from BrandZ and Kantar Millward Brown’s 2018 Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands report, Stacker listed the 100 most valuable brands in business today. Each brand has been ranked by its value, and information supplied for each company includes: the industry it’s positioned within; brand contribution—which takes into consideration how much the name and logo drive purchasing volume; and changes in brand value and rank since 2017.

Read on to see where some of the world’s favorite brands stack up against the competition.

RELATED: Click here to see the most loved brands in America

1 / 100

whatleydude // Flickr

#100. Adidas

Brand value in millions: $12,456
Category: Apparel
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +50%
Rank change since 2017: N/A

2 / 100

Akhmad Fauzi // Wikimedia Commons

#99. Bank Central Asia

Brand value in millions: $12,674
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: N/A
Rank change since 2017: N/A

3 / 100

Mike Mozart // Flickr

#98. Pepsi

Brand value in millions: $12,685
Category: Soft Drinks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: 0%
Rank change since 2017: -14

4 / 100

Jengtingchen // Wikimedia Commons

#97. Honda

Brand value in millions: $12,695
Category: Cars
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +4%
Rank change since 2017: -6

5 / 100

Mike Mozart // Flickr

#96. Ford

Brand value in millions: $12,742
Category: Cars
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: -2%
Rank change since 2017: -13

6 / 100

Miosotis Jade // Wikimedia Commons

#95. Lowe's

Brand value in millions: $13,111
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: -2%
Rank change since 2017: -13

7 / 100

Luis García // Wikimedia Commons

#94. BT Group

Brand value in millions: $13,604
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: -15%
Rank change since 2017: -25

8 / 100

Alan Stanton // Flickr

#93. Aldi

Brand value in millions: $13,785
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +12%
Rank change since 2017: -4

9 / 100

Elekhh // Wikimedia Commons

#92. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group

Brand value in millions: $14,465
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +3%
Rank change since 2017: -17

10 / 100

Stock Catalog // Flickr

#91. Instagram

Brand value in millions: $14,496
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: N/A
Rank change since 2017: N/A

11 / 100

Ceeseven // Wikimedia Commons

#90. SF Express

Brand value in millions: $14,537
Category: Logistics
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: N/A
Rank change since 2017: N/A

12 / 100

LPS.1 // Wikimedia Commons

#89. Hewlett-Packard

Brand value in millions: $14,797
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: N/A
Rank change since 2017: N/A

13 / 100

Steven Arnold // Wikimedia Commons

#88. Ebay

Brand value in millions: $14,829
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +20%
Rank change since 2017: -2

14 / 100

Phillip Pessar // Flickr

#87. KFC

Brand value in millions: $15,131
Category: Fast Food
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +12%
Rank change since 2017: -6

15 / 100

YunHo LEE // Flickr

#86. AIA Group

Brand value in millions: $15,131
Category: Insurance
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +29%
Rank change since 2017: 11

16 / 100

Mr.TinDC // Flickr

#85. Gillette

Brand value in millions: $15,358
Category: Personal Care
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: -6%
Rank change since 2017: -18

17 / 100

Silvermetals // Wikimedia Commons

#84. Bank of China

Brand value in millions: $15,607
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +30%
Rank change since 2017: 10

18 / 100

Sheila Scarborough // Flickr

#83. LinkedIn

Brand value in millions: $15,657
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +15%
Rank change since 2017: -4

19 / 100

Tony Webster // Flickr

#82. Siemens

Brand value in millions: $15,965
Category: Conglomerate
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +14%
Rank change since 2017: -5

20 / 100

Alexander Torrenegra // Wikimedia Commons

#81. Uber

Brand value in millions: $16,045
Category: Transport
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: N/A
Rank change since 2017: N/A

21 / 100

Fibonacci Blue // Flickr

#80. U.S. Bancorp

Brand value in millions: $16,278
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +7%
Rank change since 2017: -9

22 / 100

江上清风1961 // Wikimedia Commons

#79. China Life Insurance Company

Brand value in millions: $16,429
Category: Insurance
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +18%
Rank change since 2017: -1

23 / 100

Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine // Wikimedia Commons

#78. Salesforce.com

Brand value in millions: $17,026
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +39%
Rank change since 2017: 12

24 / 100

Mike Mozart // Flickr

#77. Bank of America

Brand value in millions: $17,439
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +42%
Rank change since 2017: 10

25 / 100

Ardfern // Wikimedia Commons

#76. Ikea

Brand value in millions: $17,481
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: -8%
Rank change since 2017: -23

26 / 100

Coolcaesar // Wikimedia Commons

#75. Adobe

Brand value in millions: $17,831
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +53%
Rank change since 2017: 23

27 / 100

WhisperToMe // Wikimedia Commons

#74. ExxonMobil

Brand value in millions: $18,222
Category: Oil & Gas
Brand contribution (out of 5): 1
Brand value percent change since 2017: -3%
Rank change since 2017: -19

28 / 100

Håkan Dahlström // Flickr

#73. J.P. Morgan

Brand value in millions: $18,251
Category: Global Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +29%
Rank change since 2017: 1

29 / 100

Mike Mozart // Flickr

#72. Costco

Brand value in millions: $18,265
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +12%
Rank change since 2017: -4

30 / 100

Mike Mozart // Flickr

#71. Colgate

Brand value in millions: $18,516
Category: Personal Care
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +4%
Rank change since 2017: -13

31 / 100

Overlord1986 // Wikimedia Commons

#70. Subway

Brand value in millions: $18,766
Category: Fast Food
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: -14%
Rank change since 2017: -25

32 / 100

Bjoertvedt // Wikimedia Commons

#69. Agricultural Bank of China

Brand value in millions: $19,141
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +28%
Rank change since 2017: 3

33 / 100

Bidgee // Wikimedia Commons

#68. Commonwealth Bank

Brand value in millions: $19,286
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +11%
Rank change since 2017: -8

34 / 100

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#67. Chase Bank

Brand value in millions: $19,324
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +35%
Rank change since 2017: 6

35 / 100

MBisanz // Wikimedia Commons

#66. TD Bank

Brand value in millions: $19,628
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +6%
Rank change since 2017: -10

36 / 100

Արշավիր // Wikimedia Commons

#65. Orange

Brand value in millions: $19,647
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +14%
Rank change since 2017: -3

37 / 100

ParentingPatch // Wikimedia Commons

#64. Pampers

Brand value in millions: $20,183
Category: Baby Care
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: -10%
Rank change since 2017: -22

38 / 100

CEphoto // Wikimedia Commons

#63. Shell

Brand value in millions: $20,264
Category: Oil & Gas
Brand contribution (out of 5): 1
Brand value percent change since 2017: +10%
Rank change since 2017: -6

39 / 100

MB-one // Wikimedia Commons

#62. DHL Express

Brand value in millions: $20,568
Category: Logistics
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +30%
Rank change since 2017: 8

40 / 100

Matthew Keys // Flickr

#61. Netflix

Brand value in millions: $20,819
Category: Entertainment
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +73%
Rank change since 2017: 31

41 / 100

Jayanta // Wikimedia Commons

#60. HDFC Bank

Brand value in millions: $20,874
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +22%
Rank change since 2017: 3

42 / 100

Daniel Cukier // Flickr

#59. JD.com

Brand value in millions: $20,933
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +94%
Rank change since 2017: N/A

43 / 100

Uris // Wikimedia Commons

#58. Citibank

Brand value in millions: $21,258
Category: Global Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +21%
Rank change since 2017: 1

44 / 100

Diesmer Ponstein // Flickr

#57. Cisco

Brand value in millions: $21,331
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +28%
Rank change since 2017: 9

45 / 100

Eric Salard // Wikimedia Commons

#56. FedEx

Brand value in millions: $22,218
Category: Logistics
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +14%
Rank change since 2017: -5

46 / 100

Xjm91587 // Wikimedia Commons

#55. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT)

Brand value in millions: $22,377
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +11%
Rank change since 2017: -5

47 / 100

Maizeam // Wikimedia Commons

#54. Gucci

Brand value in millions: $22,442
Category: Luxury
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +66%
Rank change since 2017: 26

48 / 100

EEIM // Wikimedia Commons

#53. Movistar

Brand value in millions: $22,824
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +4%
Rank change since 2017: -10

49 / 100

Henrickson // Wikimedia Commons

#52. Royal Bank of Canada

Brand value in millions: $22,924
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +8%
Rank change since 2017: -5

50 / 100

BrokenSphere // Wikimedia Commons

#51. YouTube

Brand value in millions: $22,958
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +37%
Rank change since 2017: 14

51 / 100

Håkan Dahlström // Flickr

#50. HSBC

Brand value in millions: $23,633
Category: Global Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +15%
Rank change since 2017: -2

52 / 100

José Gustavo Góngora // Flickr

#49. China Construction Bank

Brand value in millions: $23,747
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +27%
Rank change since 2017: 5

53 / 100

Kārlis Dambrāns // Flickr

#48. Huawei

Brand value in millions: $24,922
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +22%
Rank change since 2017: 1

54 / 100

kanu101 // Flickr

#47. BMW

Brand value in millions: $25,624
Category: Cars
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +4%
Rank change since 2017: -12

55 / 100

Sönke Biehl // Flickr

#46. Mercedes-Benz

Brand value in millions: $25,684
Category: Cars
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +9%
Rank change since 2017: -6

56 / 100

Oracle Databases // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Oracle

Brand value in millions: $25,802
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +21%
Rank change since 2017: 1

57 / 100

DennisM // Wikimedia Commons

#44. L'Oreal Paris

Brand value in millions: $26,107
Category: Personal Care
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +9%
Rank change since 2017: -6

58 / 100

Timeahfurm002 // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Ping An Insurance

Brand value in millions: $26,141
Category: Insurance
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +51%
Rank change since 2017: 18

59 / 100

Gpccurro // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Zara

Brand value in millions: $26,860
Category: Apparel
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +7%
Rank change since 2017: -8

60 / 100

simone.brunozzi // Flickr

#41. Baidu

Brand value in millions: $26,861
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +14%
Rank change since 2017: -2

61 / 100

Sam // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Budweiser

Brand value in millions: $27,031
Category: Beer
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: 0%
Rank change since 2017: -7

62 / 100

Moonik // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Hermes

Brand value in millions: $28,063
Category: Luxury
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +20%
Rank change since 2017: 2

63 / 100

JiahuiH // Flickr

#38. Intel

Brand value in millions: $28,316
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +29%
Rank change since 2017: 6

64 / 100

Maksym Kozlenko // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Vodafone

Brand value in millions: $28,860
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: -9%
Rank change since 2017: -10

65 / 100

Mike Mozart // Flickr

#36. Toyota

Brand value in millions: $29,987
Category: Cars
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +5%
Rank change since 2017: -6

66 / 100

Alex Liivet // Flickr

#35. American Express

Brand value in millions: $30,046
Category: Payments
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +24%
Rank change since 2017: 1

67 / 100

HunagnTwuai // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Kweichow Moutai

Brand value in millions: $32,113
Category: Alcohol
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +89%
Rank change since 2017: 30

68 / 100

Maurizio Pesce // Flickr

#33. Samsung

Brand value in millions: $32,191
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +34%
Rank change since 2017: 4

69 / 100

Michael Gray // Flickr

#32. Accenture

Brand value in millions: $33,723
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +24%
Rank change since 2017: 0

70 / 100

Svn // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Walmart

Brand value in millions: $34,002
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +22%
Rank change since 2017: 0

71 / 100

Sagar Savla // Wikimedia Commons

#30. PayPal

Brand value in millions: $35,440
Category: Payments
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +85%
Rank change since 2017: 22

72 / 100

Phillip Pessar // Flickr

#29. Nike

Brand value in millions: $38,479
Category: Apparel
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +13%
Rank change since 2017: -3

73 / 100

UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons

#28. General Electric

Brand value in millions: $39,041
Category: Conglomerate
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: -22%
Rank change since 2017: -9

74 / 100

elisfkc // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Spectrum

Brand value in millions: $39,372
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: N/A
Rank change since 2017: N/A

75 / 100

Sparkx 11 // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Louis Vuitton

Brand value in millions: $41,138
Category: Luxury
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +41%
Rank change since 2017: 3

76 / 100

Chris Potter // Flickr

#25. T-Mobile

Brand value in millions: $41,499
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +8%
Rank change since 2017: 0

77 / 100

Tony Webster // Flickr

#24. Xfinity

Brand value in millions: $43,056
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +3%
Rank change since 2017: -1

78 / 100

4028mdk09 // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Starbucks

Brand value in millions: $44,503
Category: Fast Food
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +1%
Rank change since 2017: -1

79 / 100

陈少举 // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China

Brand value in millions: $45,853
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 2
Brand value percent change since 2017: +45%
Rank change since 2017: 6

80 / 100

Henozuxj // Wikimedia Commons

#21. China Mobile

Brand value in millions: $46,349
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: -18%
Rank change since 2017: -4

81 / 100

Ildar Sagdejev // Wikimedia Commons

#20. The Home Depot

Brand value in millions: $47,229
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +17%
Rank change since 2017: 4

82 / 100

Josh Hallett // Flickr

#19. Disney

Brand value in millions: $53,833
Category: Entertainment
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +3%
Rank change since 2017: -1

83 / 100

Ken Teegardin // Flickr

#18. Wells Fargo

Brand value in millions: $54,952
Category: Regional Banks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: -6%
Rank change since 2017: -3

84 / 100

Marc Smith // Flickr

#17. SAP

Brand value in millions: $55,366
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +23%
Rank change since 2017: 4

85 / 100

Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine // Flickr

#16. UPS

Brand value in millions: $60,412
Category: Logistics
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +4%
Rank change since 2017: 0

86 / 100

Kārlis Dambrāns // Flickr

#15. Mastercard

Brand value in millions: $70,872
Category: Payments
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +42%
Rank change since 2017: 5

87 / 100

Luis García // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Coca-Cola

Brand value in millions: $79,964
Category: Soft Drinks
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +2%
Rank change since 2017: -1

88 / 100

Cost of Living // Flickr

#13. Marlboro

Brand value in millions: $81,914
Category: Tobacco
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: -6%
Rank change since 2017: -1

89 / 100

JJBers // Flickr

#12. Verizon

Brand value in millions: $84,897
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: -5%
Rank change since 2017: -1

90 / 100

Mark Ahsmann // Wikimedia Commons

#11. IBM

Brand value in millions: $96,269
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: -6%
Rank change since 2017: -2

91 / 100

Luismt94 // Wikimedia Commons

#10. AT&T

Brand value in millions: $106,698
Category: Telecom Providers
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: -7%
Rank change since 2017: -4

92 / 100

N509FZ // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Alibaba

Brand value in millions: $113,401
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 3
Brand value percent change since 2017: +92%
Rank change since 2017: 5

93 / 100

David Schott // Flickr

#8. McDonald's

Brand value in millions: $126,044
Category: Fast Food
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +29%
Rank change since 2017: 2

94 / 100

Wonderlane // Flickr

#7. Visa

Brand value in millions: $145,611
Category: Payments
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +31%
Rank change since 2017: 0

95 / 100

Anthony Quintano // Flickr

#6. Facebook

Brand value in millions: $162,106
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +25%
Rank change since 2017: -1

96 / 100

Chris Yunker // Flickr

#5. Tencent

Brand value in millions: $178,990
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 5
Brand value percent change since 2017: +65%
Rank change since 2017: 3

97 / 100

Robert Scoble // Flickr

#4. Microsoft

Brand value in millions: $200,987
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +40%
Rank change since 2017: -1

98 / 100

Robert Scoble // Flickr

#3. Amazon

Brand value in millions: $207,594
Category: Retail
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +49%
Rank change since 2017: 1

99 / 100

Kavin030897 // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Apple

Brand value in millions: $300,595
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +28%
Rank change since 2017: 0

100 / 100

Shawn Collins // Flickr

#1. Google

Brand value in millions: $302,063
Category: Technology
Brand contribution (out of 5): 4
Brand value percent change since 2017: +23%
Rank change since 2017: 0