Samsung's brand value rises but relegated to 3rd spot

The brand value of South Korea's top conglomerate Samsung Group rose to $83.1 billion in 2015, but its ranking dropped one notch from a year earlier, industry data showed Monday.

According to the data compiled by British industry tracker Brand Finance, Samsung stood as the world's No. 3 firm in terms of brand worth. It marked a 1.8 percent rise from a year earlier.

U.S.-based Apple Inc., Samsung's key rival in the tech industry, took the throne with $146 billion, up 14 percent from a year earlier. The rise was significant as its sales growth slowed last year.

Google Inc., which stood a notch below Samsung in 2015, relegated Samsung, with its value standing at $94.1 billion.

Amazon, Microsoft and Verizon Wireless trailed with $69.6 billion, $67.2 billion and $63.1 billion, respectively, Brand Finance added.

Other South Korean conglomerates hovered far below Samsung in brand value. Hyundai, a key automobile brand in the country, stood in 36th place. LG Group, another electronics giant, ranked 102nd. (Yonhap)