Brands that turn strength into action pull ahead in Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2026

• Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2026 ranking surpasses $3.866 trillion in total brand value, up from $3.575 trillion in 2025 (+8.1%)
• Nvidia breaks into the global Top 10 after increasing brand value by more than 71% – making it this year’s fastest growing brand
• Entertainment overtakes Automotive as the second most valuable sector overall
• Automotive records the sharpest sector decline
• New entrants Zurich (#58), Hitachi (#90), GE Healthcare #95) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (#99) reflect shifting market dynamics and the continued emergence of new sources of value creation

Interbrand, the world’s leading brand consultancy, today unveiled their annual Best Global Brands report, revealing a widening gap between brands that are turning brand strength into growth and those relying on reputation alone.

The total value of this year’s ranking stands at $3.87 trillion, up from $3.58 trillion a year ago – an increase of 8.1%. But beneath that headline figure lies a more interesting story. Across multiple sectors, some of the world’s strongest brands lost ground, while others accelerated by turning relevance, trust and distinctiveness into tangible commercial momentum.

The findings suggest that brand remains one of the most valuable business assets.

Brand strength alone is no longer enough

One of the clearest themes in this year’s ranking is that strong brands are no longer automatically rewarded with stronger growth.

Brands benefiting from AI investment, product demand and expanding markets delivered some of the largest gains in the study, while others with long-established brand equity struggled against changing consumer expectations and challenging market conditions.

Gonzalo Brujó, Global CEO of Interbrand, said: “For years, strong brands could assume their reputation would carry them through difficult periods. But that’s no longer enough. The brands pulling ahead today are the ones using brand as a business tool, not simply an asset. They’re creating new sources of demand, building stronger relationships with customers and finding new ways to grow.”

Nvidia’s rise reflects AI’s growing influence

Technology remains the biggest driver of value creation in this year’s ranking, with AI continuing to reshape markets and create new leaders.

Nvidia (#6) was among the standout performers, increasing brand value by more than 71% and rising into the global Top 10. Google (#3) climbed to #3, while YouTube (#10), Netflix (#23) and Spotify (#39) all posted significant gains as consumers and businesses continued to embrace digital ecosystems.

Yet the data also suggests that technology companies are creating revenue faster than they are building emotional connection and long-term brand preference, highlighting the importance of sustained brand investment even during periods of explosive growth.

Automotive experiences its toughest year

No sector faced greater pressure in 2026 than automotive.

Average brand value across the category declined, suggesting that manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to translate innovation into meaningful differentiation.

Toyota (#9) remained the highest-ranked automotive brand but saw its brand value fall by almost 20%. Tesla (#50) experienced one of the biggest valuation declines across the ranking, dropping 25 places and losing almost 38% of its brand value.

Meanwhile, brands such as Hyundai (#29), Kia (#87), BYD (#89) and Ferrari (#51) continued to outperform much of the sector by offering clearer propositions and stronger reasons for consumers to choose them.

Luxury enters a period of polarisation

Luxury remains one of the strongest sectors in the ranking, but 2026 highlights an increasingly clear divide between those who rose in value vs those who declined.

Hermès (#15) strengthened its position as one of the world’s most valuable luxury brands, while Chanel (#24), Cartier (#69) and Tiffany & Co. (#91) also recorded growth.

The results suggest that heritage remains valuable, but only when paired with cultural relevance, desirability and a customer experience that continues to justify premium pricing.

New entrants reveal where value is emerging

This year’s ranking welcomes a number of new entrants, including Zurich (#58), Hitachi (#90), GE Healthcare (#95) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (#99). Their inclusion highlights shifting market priorities and shows how focused propositions, strong commercial performance and category leadership continue to create opportunities for brands to enter Interbrand’s Top 100.

What the winners are getting right

The strongest-performing brands in Best Global Brands 2026 are not necessarily the biggest or the best known. They are the brands creating clear reasons for customers to choose them.

Whether through AI leadership, premium positioning, ecosystem expansion, innovation or customer experience, the biggest winners are turning brand strength into commercial advantage.

Greg Silverman, Global Director of Brand Economics, Interbrand, said: “The brands that are growing the most have made Iconic Moves to operate in arenas outside of their core businesses.  These bold acts of leadership are the hallmark of a Best Global Brand”

Source: Interbrand

  Agency, Best Global Brands, Interbrand, Marketing, Omnicom Branding, Report