Here are the most valuable companies in the world: Apple retains top spot

Apple has retained the title of the most valuable company in the world with a net worth of $2.7 trillion, up 12 per cent in the last one year, according to the 2023 Hurun Global 500, a list of the 500 most valuable non-state-controlled companies in the world.

Companies were ranked according to their value, defined as market capitalisation for listed companies and valuations for non-listed companies.

Microsoft was the biggest gainer of the year, up 39 per cent on year at $2.5 trillion.

Alphabet came in at third spot, up 18 per cent on year at $1.6 trillion, and Amazon fourth, up 13 per cent at $1.4 trillion.