World's 10 most admired companies

Fortune magazine recently did a survey to find out the world's most admired companies.

To compile the list of 50 most admired companies overall, the US-centric survey asked business people to vote for companies that they admired most.

While Apple topped the list, carmaker Volkswagen occupied the 50th position.

Sadly, no Indian brand could make it to the top 50.

To know more about the 10 companies that came out on top, read on.

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1. Apple: Overall score: 7.95

Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and manufactures consumer electronics, computer software, and commercial servers.

This is the company that changed the way we do everything from buying music to designing products to engaging with the world around us.

Its track record for innovation and fierce consumer loyalty translates into tremendous respect across business' highest ranks.

The company was established in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976. The company was called Apple Computer, Inc. for first 30 years but dropped the word 'Computer' from its name on January 9, 2007.

2. Google: Overall score: 7.70

Its brand value is worth $25,590 million.

Google Inc, a technology company, maintains index of web sites and other online content for users, advertisers, Google network members, and other content providers.

Its automated search technology helps users to obtain instant access to relevant information from its online index.

The company provides targeted advertising and Internet search solutions, as well as intranet solutions via an enterprise search appliance.

3. Berkshire Hathaway: Overall score: 7.12

Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

Warren Buffett is the company's chairman and chief executive officer.

Last year Buffett made news when he announced Berkshire would make its biggest-ever acquisition, Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $26 billion. When the deal closed in February, Berkshire replaced the railroad on the S&P 500.

Berkshire now owns a diverse range of businesses, including railroads, candy production, retail, home furnishings, encyclopedias, vacuum cleaners, jewellery sales; newspaper publishing; manufacture and distribution of uniforms; manufacture, import and distribution of footwear; as well as several regional electric and gas utilities.

4. Johnson & Johnson: Overall score 6.67

Johnson & Johnson is a global American pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer.

The company was founded in 1886.

Johnson & Johnson's brands include numerous household names of medications and first aid supplies.

Its products are sold in over 175 countries.

5. Amazon.com: Overall score 7.39

Amazon.com, Inc. is an American-based multinational electronic commerce company.

While Amazon doesn't publicly disclose product sales figures, the company claims millions of the electronic media readers have sold, and that it now sells six Kindle e-books for every 10 printed books.

Jeff Bezos founded Amazon.com, Inc. in 1994 and launched it online in 1995.

It started as an online bookstore, but soon diversified to product lines of VHS, DVD, music CDs and MP3s, computer software, video games, electronics, apparel, furniture, food, toys, and so on.

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, it is America's largest online retailer.

6. Procter & Gamble: Overall score 7.94

Procter & Gamble Co. is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The company manufactures a wide range of consumer goods.

Robert McDonald took the reins of the company from mentor A G Lafley in July last year.

The company has innovated in the recession, too, introducing products like a new $45 skin care line under the Olay brand and higher-end diapers in Europe.

In early this year, P&G reached 4th largest corporation in the US by market capitalisation.

7. Toyota Motor: Overall score 5.20

Not only did the troubled car maker make the top 50, but at No. 7 it's the highest-rated foreign company.

The Fortune surveys were completed in the fall and winter -- most were received after Toyota's October recall of floor mats.

According to Fortune, at the time of the polling, Toyota reaped the benefits of its legendary reputation for quality leadership and from its continued growth as US car companies suffered. In 2008, the company surpassed General Motors as the world's largest automaker.

8. Goldman Sachs Group: Overall score 7.66

Goldman Sachs Group Inc is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities and investment management services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals.

It was founded in 1869 by German Jewish immigrant Marcus Goldman. And when Goldman's son-in-law Samuel Sachs joined the firm's name was changed to Goldman Sachs.

It was invited to join the New York Stock Exchange in 1896. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong and other major financial centres around the world.

Lloyd C Blankfein is the chairman and chief executive officer.

The company reported a better-than-expected Q1 earnings of $3.23/share.

Meltdown fallout:

Goldman Sachs got help from Berkshire Hathaway, which bought $5 billion in Goldman's preferred stock, and got also warrants to buy another $5 billion in Goldman's common stock.

Goldman also received $10 billion of capital from the American government in October 2008, under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

9. Wal-Mart Stores: Overall score 7.14

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (branded as Walmart) is an American public corporation that runs a chain of large, discount department stores.

The company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962.

Wal-Mart is the largest private employer and the largest grocery retailer in the United States.

It also owns and operates the Sam's Club retail warehouses in North America.

The company employs more than 2 million people in 15 countries.

Not immune to recessionary pressures, in January, the company announced it would lay off 11,000 workers in its Sam's Club stores.

10. Coca-Cola: Overall score 6.98

Coca-Cola is one of the most recognised brands and logos in the world. Its brand value is worth $66,667 million. Its parent company is Coca-Cola.

It was created in Atlanta, Georgia by Dr John S Pemberton. The bottle is among the most recognisable icons in the world, its design standing for the youthful exuberance of United States of America.

Coca-Cola was first offered as a fountain beverage by mixing Coca-Cola syrup with carbonated water.

The Coca-Cola script was designed by an amateur, Frank Robinson. Coca-Cola was registered as a trademark in 1887 and by 1895 Coca-Cola was being sold in every state and territory in the US. In 1899, the company began franchised bottling operations in the US.