10 most valuable global brands in 2014

New Delhi: Cupertino-based technology giant Apple has been declared world's most valuable brand with about $105 billion. According to a list of world's 500 most valued brand, Brand Finance Global 500, the technology firm also has a powerful brand, rated AAA, and its $105 billion brand value makes it the world's most valuable for the third year in a row. Apple's dominance, however, is being challenged by Korean firm Samsung, ranked second on the list with an increase of $20 billion in its brand value.In the top-ten, these two are followed by Google, Microsoft, Verizon, GE, AT&T, Amazon, Walmart and IBM.Diversified conglomerate Tata Group was ranked India's most valuable brand with a value of $21.1 billion.While Apple has been ranked as most valued brand, the annual study conducted by brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance said that it is Ferrari which is the "world's most powerful brand"."The legendary Italian carmaker scores highly on a wide variety of measures on Brand Finance's Brand Strength Index, from desirability, loyalty and consumer sentiment to visual identity, online presence and employee satisfaction."Ferrari is one of only eleven brands (including Google, Hermes, Coca-Cola, Disney, Rolex and F1 racing rivals Red Bull) to be awarded an AAA+ brand rating and has the highest overall score," it added.However, "being a niche, luxury brand with an officially capped production, it is perhaps unsurprising that it is some way off being the world's most valuable. Its $4 billion brand value puts it 350th in brand value terms," Brand Finance said.The US accounts for the maximum number of 185 brands on the list, followed by Japan (42), France (37), the UK (35), Germany (32), China (27) and Switzerland (19), among others.Here is the complete list: IBM2014 ranking: 102013 ranking: 6Brand Value: 41,513 (in US$ million)Walmart2014 ranking: 92013 ranking: 5Brand Value: 44,779 (in US$ million)Amazon.com2014 ranking: 82013 ranking: 8Brand Value: 45,147 (in US$ million)AT&T 2014 ranking: 72013 ranking: 11Brand Value: 45,410 (in US$ million)GE2014 ranking: 62013 ranking: 7Brand Value: 52,533 (in US$ million)Verizon2014 ranking: 52013 ranking: 10Brand Value: 53,466 (in US$ million)Microsoft2014 ranking: 42013 ranking: 4Brand Value: 62,783 (in US$ million)Google2014 ranking: 32013 ranking: 3Brand Value: 68,620 (in US$ million)Samsung Group2014 ranking: 22013 ranking: 2Brand Value: 78,752 (in US$ million)Apple 2014 ranking: 12013 ranking: 1Brand Value: 104,680 (in US$ million)