10 most valuable global brands

7.  Microsoft

top brands
7
  • Brand value: $70 billion
  • Sector: Technology
  • 2012 rank: 5

The tech giant has been battered, bruised and clearly beaten up by Apple in terms of brand name. But Microsoft (MSFT) still maintains a commanding presence in its home market -- the United States -- and around the world.

Shares in the software titan have recently hit their highest level since early 2008, and the company's smartphone operating system just surpassed Blackberry to take third place behind Google's Android and Apple's iOS, according to researcher IDC.

Watch: Windows 8 says goodbye to the Start button

Microsoft's latest quarterly results also showed Windows 8 is performing well, helping to boost profit by 16%.

First published May 27, 2015: 7:52 AM ET
Methodology: BrandZ top 100 most valuable global brands ranking for 2013 was commissioned by the communications firm WPP and conducted by research agency Millward Brown. It calculates brand value by using in-depth financial data alongside interviews with over two million consumers from around the world.

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