Apple Regains Top Spot in Barron's Most Respected Companies List

Apple has regained the top position on Barron's annual list of the world's most respected companies. Apple took the spot from Berkshire Hathaway, which is the company that knocked Apple out of the number one slot last year.

Apple scores top spot in Barron's Most Respected listApple scores top spot in Barron's Most Respected list

Apple dropped from first to third place in 2013, but this year Barron's said, "the iEverything maker has reclaimed the throne with a flourish in 2014, its winning score leaving No. 2 Berkshire and others a blur in the rearview mirror."

The iPhone and iPad maker has topped the Barron's Most Respected Companies list four out of the past five years. Since last year's drop to third place, Apple has gained marketshare, its stock is up, shareholder dividends have increased, the company initiated a 7-to-1 stock split, and now analysts and consumers are waiting with anticipation for the introduction of the iPhone 6 and rumored iWatch.

Barron's compiles its annual list from a survey of 100 of the largest companies in the United States. Behind Apple, Bershire Hathaway came in second, Boing was third, Google took fourth place, and Johnson & Johnson rounded out the top five.

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