According to Fortune magazine, Apple has become the world's most admired company for the 17th consecutive year, with Microsoft and Amazon ranking in the top three. In determining the most admired companies, Fortune first compiled a list of 1,500 companies, including the 1,000 largest U.S. companies and 500 non-U.S. companies with at least $10 billion in revenue.
After Fortune focused on the highest-grossing companies in each industry, the list was narrowed to 660 companies. More than 3,700 executives, directors and analysts were then surveyed to score each company based on categories such as investment value, management quality and social responsibility.
According to Fortune magazine, Apple has been the most admired company among industry professionals for the 17th consecutive year. It ranks first in social responsibility, financial soundness, innovation and global competitiveness.
Apple's overall score was 8.19, down from 8.65 the previous year.
Although Microsoft is ranked first in the computer software industry, it still ranks second.
Amazon dropped to third place, down one spot from last year. It received top scores in Internet services and retail.