Brands
Brand Finance Global 500 Brands 2025 report: Apple maintains lead as tech giants dominate
MUMBAI: The band of top brands globally continues to be dominated by tech giants. At least that’s what Brand Finance’s top 500 Global Brands report for 2025 has revealed. Apple has retained its position as the world’s most valuable brand, with a brand value of $574.5 billion. The tech giant is followed closely by Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, which occupy the second, third, and fourth spots, respectively.
The top 10 most valuable brands are dominated by US-based companies, with Walmart, Facebook, and Nvidia also featuring in the list. However, Chinese brands such as TikTok/Douyin, State Grid Corp of China, and China Construction Bank are rapidly gaining ground, with significant increases in their brand values.
The report highlights the growing influence of Asian brands, with 17 Chinese companies featuring in the top 100, including newcomers such as Moutai and Wuliangye. Japanese brands such as Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi Group also make significant appearances in the list.
European brands, meanwhile, are struggling to keep pace, with only 12 companies from the continent featuring in the top 100. German brands such as Deutsche Telekom, Mercedes-Benz, and SAP are among the notable exceptions.
The report also notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on brand values, with many companies experiencing a decline in their brand worth. However, tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, and Google have been largely immune to the pandemic’s effects, thanks to their diversified revenue streams and strong brand recognition.
The top 10 most valuable brands in the world are:
1. Apple (USA) – $574.5 billion
2. Microsoft (USA) – $461.1 billion
3. Google (USA) – $412.9 billion
4. Amazon (USA) – $356.4 billion
5. Walmart (USA) – $137.2 billion
6. Samsung Group (South Korea) – $110.6 billion
7. TikTok/Douyin (China) – $105.8 billion
8. Facebook (USA) – $91.5 billion
9. NVIDIA (USA) – $87.9 billion
10. State Grid Corporation of China (China) – $85.6 billion
Brand Finance also analysed what brands have grown the most since 2020, plus TikTok – although Brand Finance began valuing the brand in 2022, its 79 per cent growth in four years puts it in the same league as the other high-growth brands.
1. TikTok/Douyin: USD105.8 billion, up from USD59.0 billion (in 2022)
2. DraftKings: USD5.1 billion, up from USD18 million
3. FanDuel: USD7.0 billion, up from USD56 million
4. NVIDIA: USD87.9 billion, up from USD4.7 billion
5. AMD: USD11.0 billion, up from USD1.4 billion
6. Pinduoduo: USD13.0 billion, up from USD2.5 billion
7. BYD: USD14.0 billion, up from USD3.1 billion
8. Apple: USD574.5 billion, up from USD140.5 billion
9. TSMC: USD34.2 billion, up from US8.6 billion
10. Microsoft: USD461.1 billion, up from USD117.1 billion
11. Lilly: USD8.0 billion, up from USD2.1 billion
To take a dekko at the Top 100 Global Brands 2025 list click on the word free. Basic data for the top 100 is available for free.
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
