Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Crowned as the World’s Most Respected Company by Barron’s (BRK.A, AAPL, DIS, GOOG)

Globally renowned value investor, Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A) was rated as the world’s most respected company by Barron’s in its 2013 survey. Berkshire Hathaway superseded Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) to take the number 1 position. The iPhone and iPad maker was rated at the world’s most respected company on three successive occasions before this; but no more. Apple slipped to the third position in 2013 survey. For Berkshire Hathaway, this is was a tremendous achievement. The Company fell to 15th position in 2012 annual survey, marking the first occasion in Barron’s 9 years of ranking history when it did not come among top five companies. It is not surprising to see Berkshire Hathaway at the top, considering the fact that the stock is up 25% thus far this year while the S&P 500 average return has been half of that. Barron’s said that Warren Buffett’s firm has regained its traction in the recent past. The firm has performed exceptionally well across all aspects of business; be it deal making, investment choices and operations, Barron’s said. According to Barron’s, investors respect Buffett’s track record of providing attractive returns, long-term focus, understanding of business and very gentle demeanor. On the number 2 position came the entertainment company, Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) while another tech giant Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) took the fourth position. Just like Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, the survey participants held these companies in a high esteem due their performances. Barron’s said that Walt Disney’s solid track record and strong brand image no major strategic blunder and persistent increase in earnings helped the company to climb up the ladder of the world’s most respected companies. For Google, Barron’s said company’s hunger for strong innovation, the grand success of its mobile operating system, Android and its disruptive technologies which it intends to enter were the reasons why it came at the fourth position.