In February, Brandirectory has published its 2010 overview of the world's most valuable brands. The electronics industry is well represented. Google ranks first and Microsoft third in the Brandirectory. The top 25 includes consumer electronics brands such as IBM, HP, Apple, Nokia and Samsung, as well as telecommunication providers such as Vodafone, AT&T, Verizon, China Mobile and Orange.

Brandirectory has calculated that the total value of the top global 500 bank brands 2010 is US$716 billion, an increase of 49% on 2009. The recovery of global bank brands has been significant, writes Brandirectory. The value of the top 500 global bank brands 2010 is 4% higher than the value in 2008 prior to the crisis. Market capitalisation has decreased by 20% for the same period.

Brandirectory is an online encyclopedia of brands where financial results, visual identities, trademark histories and the latest marketing news are be compiled and shared.
According to information provided on the website, Brand Finance's league tables provide a point in time valuation of leading global, sector and regional brands enabling clients to track their brands' performance on an annual basis. The methodology employed in the BrandFinance® Global 500 uses a discounted cash flow (DCF) technique to discount estimated future royalties, at an appropriate discount rate, to arrive at a net present value (NPV) of the trademark and associated intellectual property: the brand value.