BP, Unilever, Shell and HSBC Holdings are among the world’s most admired
companies, according to a poll by Fortune magazine.
The four are the only British companies to feature in the top 50 – which
listed 36 US firms.
Top of the pile was Wal-Mart, owner of Asda, which, according to Fortune,
employs the most people in the US, buys the most stock, and sells the most
goods.
It is the first time Wal-Mart has headed the list. Last year, General
Electric was named top company.
The magazine has compiled the list for 21 years, and surveyed the views of
10,000 managers, directors and analysts.
Fortune magazine’s top five companies
1. Wal-Mart
2. General Electric
3. Microsoft
4. Dell Computer
5. Johnson &Johnson
Fortune magazine’s top British companies
1. BP
2. Dutch Royal Shell Group
3. Unilever
4. HSBCHoldings
5. GlaxoSmithKline
Source: Fortune
