Most future-ready companies ranked in fashion, pharma, and technology

Microsoft claims the top spot in technology, Pfizer leads the pharmaceutical sector, and Nike retains the top position in the fashion industry.

Per the IMD Future Readiness Indicator 2023, the leading companies in fashion, pharma, and technology are those that focus on innovation and resilience.

Here are the rankings on future readiness across each of the three sectors studied:

Technology: Future ready company rankings

Two big trends stand out in the tech world: companies are using smarter AI and demanding software that is easier and all-in-one. Such trends are what Microsoft successfully capitalises on to be ranked #1 in this sector. NVIDIA can also attribute its steady rise – moving from third to second – to its AI applications, from drug discovery to self-driving cars. Meta rounds out the top three, with Alphabet having dropped two positions to fourth, and Amazon descending from sixth to 10th.

1. Microsoft Corp
2. NVIDIA Corp
3. META Platforms
4. Alphabet Inc
5. Apple Inc
6. Salesforce Inc
7. Adobe Inc
8. Advanced Micro Devices Inc
9. CISCO Systems
10. Amazon.com

Pharma: Future ready company rankings

Robust investment in research and the ability to navigate the complex logistical and legal maze of global distribution are two of the traits that stand out for indicator leaders Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Howard Yu, LEGO® Professor of Management and Innovation and Director of IMD’s Center for Future Readiness, adds: "Pfizer's cold chain service and AstraZeneca's end-to-end digital supply chain initiatives are particularly notable."

1. Pfizer
2. Astrazeneca
3. Eli Lilly and Co
4. Novartis AG
5. Roche HLDG AG-Genius
6. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co
7. Novo Nordisk A7S
8. Johnson & Johnson
9. Merck & Co (MSD)
10. BioNTech SE-ADR

Fashion: Future ready company rankings

Mounting inflation and an array of geopolitical hurdles have seriously affected consumer spending and the operational costs for the fashion sector, which in general faced slower growth in 2023. It was under this context that Nike outshone the rest of the field, with a notable increase in direct sales. "All things considered, supply chain disruptions are driving the need for new manufacturing models, including nearshoring and digital enhancements," explained Yu.

1. Nike
2. Hermès International
3. Kering SA
4. LVMH SE
5. Zalando SE
6. Richemont SA
7. Lululemon Athletica 
8. Inditex SA
9. Burberry Group
10. Prada SA

The rankings for this report are based on seven equally weighted factors – (1) financial fundamentals, (2) investors’ expectations of future growth, (3) business diversity, (4) employee diversity/ESG, (5) research and development, (6) early results of innovation efforts, and (7) cash and debt – that comprise 33 variables.

The balance composite score is based on hard data, including financial reports, investors’ calls, LinkedIn profiles of the management team, CrunchBase, Factiva, and other publicly available reporting.

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