Tequila is the standout growth story in the Brand Finance Alcoholic Drinks 2026 report, and every brand in its top five is building value. Don Julio leads with a brand value of USD2.5 billion, up 57%, and a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 89.6/100. @Patron follows closely with a brand value of USD2.4 billion, up 36%, and a BSI score of 87.8/100. @JoseCuervo is the fastest-growing spirits brand overall, ranking third with a brand value of USD1.6 billion, up 61%. @Casamigos ranks fourth with a brand value of USD1.2 billion and 1800 completes the top five with a brand value of USD453 million. Tequila is moving beyond party-led occasions and building value through premium sipping, celebration and lifestyle-led consumption. For more insights: ow.ly/10jp50ZYQ06 @Diageo_News Brand Finance is the world’s leading consultancy in brand valuation and strategy, helping organisations connect brand strength to business performance. For more information, contact us at [email protected] today. #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #Tequila #BrandValue #DonJulio

Brand Finance recent findings suggest that there’s no single formula on which rum brands are growing in value from. According to the Alcoholic Drinks 2026 report, Bacardi leads through global scale and cocktail culture with a brand value of USD3.4 billion and a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 76/100. Ruang Khao brings local-market strength in second with a brand value of USD1.3 billion, and Captain Morgan follows with a brand value of USD940 million and a BSI score of 72.8/100, pushing flavour-led innovation. Malibu, with a brand value of USD353 million, and @_HavanaClub, with a brand value of USD239 million, complete the top five, showing how occasion-led appeal can carry a brand where scale doesn’t. For more insights: ow.ly/xAaU50ZYPt8 @BACARDI @thai_bev @Pernod_Ricard @Diageo_News Brand Finance is the world’s leading consultancy in brand valuation and strategy, helping organisations connect brand strength to business performance. For more information, contact us at [email protected] today. #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #Rum #BrandValue #Bacardi

GLP-1 drugs are changing how people eat. New research from Brand Finance examines what this could mean for the world's biggest food brands. Our latest analysis finds that more than a quarter (26%, or USD73.2 billion) of the combined value of the world's 100 most valuable food brand is exposed to GLP-1-driven shifts in consumption. That exposure is far from evenly distributed. Confectionery and savoury snacks account for 53% of total exposed brand value, despite representing just 30% of the Food 100's combined brand value. Savoury snacks alone account for USD17.2 billion of exposure. @LAYS is the most exposed individual brand, with USD6.8 billion of its USD15.1 billion brand value linked to GLP-1-sensitive categories. Exposure does not necessarily mean decline, however. Brands positioned around health, functionality and everyday consumption are performing strongly, with @innocent (+60%), @MinuteMaid(+41%), @YorkshireTea (+32%) and @Gatorade (+21%) all recording strong year-on-year brand value growth. These exposure figures are not forecasts of future losses, but they raise an important question for food and beverage companies: how can established brands sustain growth as consumer appetites and consumption habits evolve? Explore the full findings in Brand Finance's Food & Drink 100 2026: brandirectory.com/food-and-d… #BrandFinance #FoodAndDrink #GLP1 #BrandValue

According to the Alcoholic Drinks 2026 report, hard seltzer, highballs, flavoured drinks and other convenient formats all feature among the leading RTD brands in 2026, highlighting how broad the category has become. High Noon sits firmly at the top, with a brand value of USD1.8 billion. Twisted Tea follows at USD754 million, while Truly Hard Seltzer ranks third at USD253 million. Kaku Highball takes fourth place at USD249 million, and Vodka Cruiser rounds out the top five at USD128 million. The ranking suggests that RTD relevance is no longer tied to one product type. Instead, the category is being shaped by its ability to serve different markets and occasions through flavour, portability, and single-serve convenience. For more insights: ow.ly/SPy650ZYkOp @suntory The world’s most valuable and strongest brands are built on data-led insight. Brand Finance helps organisations measure and understand brand strength, value, and impact to support better strategic decision-making. Contact [email protected] to start the conversation. #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #RTD #ReadyToDrink #BrandValue

In the Alcoholic Drinks 2026 report, the global gin brands analysis is less about one runaway leader and more about a close contest at the top. Ginebra san miguel San Miguel leads with a brand value of USD802 million, only USD32 million ahead of @homeofbombay at USD770 million. Gordon’s ranks third at USD473 million. What makes the category interesting is the range of brand models represented. Tanqueray places fourth at USD292 million, while Hendrick’s completes the top five at USD217 million. Together, the list shows how regional scale, premium credentials, mainstream familiarity, and distinctive identity can all create value in gin. For more insights: ow.ly/otvy50ZYjnE @Diageo_News The world’s most valuable and strongest brands are built on data-led insight. Brand Finance helps organisations measure and understand brand strength, value, and impact to support better strategic decision-making. Contact [email protected] to start the conversation. #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #Gin #BrandValue #GinebraSanMiguel

All 30 Major League Soccer club, valued for the first time: USD2.1 billion in combined brand value. Brand Finance Head of Sports Services, Scott Moore, unveiled the ranking at the Association of National Advertisers' Read the Field event at PayPal Park in San Jose this week. @InterMiamiCF is MLS’s most valuable and strongest brand, worth USD254 million on its own, around 12% of the league total. @LAFC (USD160 million) and @LAGalaxy (USD111 million) complete the top three for brand value. The top 10 MLS club brands are now worth almost 60% more than Brazil’s top 10, long seen as the benchmark in the Americas. The ranking also shows where fan perceptions are moving. @NewYorkRedBulls is sixth by brand value but the second strongest in the league, and beyond the top 10, @TorontoFC's Brand Strength Index (BSI) score rose by more than nine points from 2025. Strong brand strength scores like these can indicate room for further commercial growth. Read the full MLS ranking here: brandfinance.com/press-relea… #BrandFinance #BrandValue #BrandStrength #SportsBusiness

Capital One @CapitalOne sets the standard for banking brands in South Central, earning a AAA+ brand strength rating among consumers in the region, the highest of any bank, according to Brand Finance’s latest research. @Chime, @Discover Bank and @Chase follow, each rated AAA. Chime’s position alongside some of the country’s best-known banks is supported by strong consumer advocacy, with more people talking about the brand than any other banking brand in the region. @WellsFargo and @BankofAmerica (both AA+) benefit from widespread familiarity, although consumer perceptions of quality and willingness to recommend them are less strong. Meanwhile, Ally (AA-) is known to fewer than half of consumers in the South Central region yet achieves a perfect 10 out of 10 for price acceptance. If you’d like to discuss your bank’s brand performance in South Central or any other U.S. region, our experts would be happy to talk you through the data. Get in touch: [email protected]. #BrandFinance #BrandStrength #Banking

Insights from the Alcoholic Drinks 2026 report show that for cognac-led brandy brands, value remains significant, but the operating backdrop has become harder. Hennessy leads the brandy ranking with a brand value of USD3.8 billion. Martell follows at USD925 million, with Emperador third at USD847 million. The rest of the top five shows how established equity still matters, even as the category faces pressure. Rémy Martin ranks fourth at USD806 million, while Courvoisier completes the top five at USD65 million. Against softer premium demand and trade disruption in key markets, the category’s next phase will depend on how well these brands balance heritage with resilience and market diversification. For more insights: ow.ly/v90I50ZYirE @LVMH @Pernod_Ricard @GruppoCampari @remycointreau Get in touch with us via [email protected] to discover how Brand Finance can support your brand’s valuation, strength rating, or wider brand strategy needs. #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #Brandy #Cognac #BrandValue

Luxury brands significantly outperformed their mass-market counterparts in the years following COVID-19, driven by strong pricing power, exclusivity, and resilient demand from affluent consumers. However, 2026 marks a shift towards a more polarised market. Traditional luxury categories, particularly apparel and, cosmetics and personal care, have come under pressure as demand slows following several years of exceptional growth. At the same time, experience-led categories such as hospitality and premium beverages have demonstrated greater resilience, benefiting from consumers increasingly prioritising experiences over possessions. The latest trends highlight an evolving luxury landscape, where exclusivity, scarcity, personalisation, and memorable experiences are becoming increasingly important drivers of brand value growth. While broad-based luxury expansion has slowed, the most valuable brands continue to differentiate themselves through desirability, emotional connection, and premium positioning. Discover more insights here: ow.ly/R7iB50ZYiau At Brand Finance, we help organisations measure, maximise, and strengthen brand value through independent, data-driven advisory, enabling more informed strategic decision-making. Request more information by emailing [email protected]. #LuxuryandPremium #LuxuryBrands #Hospitality #Apparel #ChampagneAndWine

New analysis from Brand Finance finds that @CapitalOne and @Chase are the only banking brands to earn an AAA brand strength rating among Midwest consumers. Capital One leads on overall brand strength, while Chase is the most highly considered and best understood in the region. @Chime (AA) follows alongside @BankofAmerica (AA) and @Discover Bank (AA-) and is perceived as the most reputable and most reliable in the Midwest region. @WellsFargo, @Citi and @Huntington_Bank each earn an A+ rating, with consumers showing a stronger preference for Huntington than either Wells Fargo or Citi, despite being less familiar with the brand. If you’d like to discuss your bank’s brand performance in the Midwest or any other U.S. region, our experts would be happy to talk you through the data. Get in touch: [email protected]. #BrandFinance #BrandStrength #Banking

Few spirits categories are as concentrated at the top as baijiu. According to the Brand Finance Alcoholic Drinks 2026 report, @MoutaiGlobal leads the category with a brand value of USD59.6 billion, making it both the most valuable baijiu brand and the most valuable spirit brand globally. Wuliangye follows in second place at USD27.3 billion. together, the two brands underline just how much value sits at the very top of the category. Beyond the leaders, the picture becomes more tiered. Xinghuacun Fen Wine ranks third at USD6.2 billion, followed by Luzhou Laojiao at USD5.3 billion and Yanghe at USD2.7 billion. That spread points to a market where dominant heritage names continue to anchor global spirits value, while the wider baijiu field faces more uneven performance. For more insights: ow.ly/or4G50ZXRHt The world’s most valuable brands are built on data-led insight. Brand Finance helps organisations measure and understand brand value, strength, and impact to support better strategic decision-making. Contact [email protected] to start the conversation. #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #Baijiu #BrandValue #Moutai

According to the recently released Brand Finance Alcoholic Drinks 2026 report, aperitif brands continue to show the value of owning a clear drinking occasion. Aperol leads the category with a brand value of USD1.1 billion, ahead of Martini at USD707 million, Ricard at USD520 million, Campari at USD499 million, and Cointreau at USD179 million. What stands out in this category is how recognisable brand worlds translate into value. Aperol has built strong association with the spritz occasion, while Campari and Cointreau continue to benefit from long-standing cocktail relevance. In a crowded alcohol landscape, distinctiveness, colour, serve, and ritual matter. For more insights: ow.ly/H53850ZXrES @GruppoCampari @Pernod_Ricard The world’s most valuable and strongest brands are built on data-led insight. Brand Finance helps organisations measure and understand brand strength, value, and impact to support better strategic decision-making. Contact [email protected] to start the conversation. #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #Aperitif #BrandValue #Aperol

Brand Finance’s inaugural China City Index 2026 names Beijing as China’s strongest city brand, with a score of 86.3/100. The capital leads the nation for overall reputation, familiarity and visitation, supported by strong perceptions across governance, education, healthcare and cultural attractions. Shanghai ranks second (80.8/100), reinforcing its position as China’s commercial and financial powerhouse, while third-ranked Hangzhou (79.6/100) combines a thriving digital economy with cultural heritage, scenic landscapes and strong lifestyle appeal. Shenzhen (79.1/100) and Chengdu (76.4/100) complete the top five, reflecting the growing strength of cities that combine economic dynamism with innovation, culture and quality of life. The top 10 also includes Nanjing (74.6/100), Guangzhou (72.9/100), Chongqing (70.8/100), Xi’an (69.9/100) and Qingdao (69.2/100). Based on a nationwide survey of 12,000 respondents across 70 cities, the Index assesses perceptions across seven dimensions and shows there is no single blueprint for urban competitiveness. Instead, China’s leading cities are increasingly distinguishing themselves through a combination of economic strength, connectivity, culture, innovation and liveability. #BrandFinance #ChinaCityIndex #CityBrands #PlaceBranding #China

Whisky’s top 10 brings together some of the biggest names across American whiskey, Scotch, Canadian whisky, Japanese whisky, Indian whisky, and Irish whiskey. @JackDaniels_US’s leads the Brand Finance Alcoholic Drinks 2026 whisky ranking with a brand value of USD4.1 billion. Johnnie Walker ranks second at USD2.8 billion, followed by Crown Royal at USD2.7 billion. The wider list shows how diverse the category has become. The Macallan ranks fourth at USD1.3 billion, while Suntory Whisky places fifth at USD1.1 billion. Royal Stag, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, McDowell’s, and Jameson complete the top 10, highlighting a category shaped by premium cues, regional scale, and very different consumer occasions. For more insights: ow.ly/JEyW50ZX2xN @Chivas @suntory @Pernod_Ricard Bridging the gap between marketing performance and financial value, Brand Finance translates brand perception into measurable financial insight to support valuation, forecasting, and strategic decision-making. Speak to our team of experts today via [email protected] #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #BrandValue #WhiskyBrands

Global prestige remains the foundation of luxury and premium brands, but brand strength is built in different ways across sectors and markets. Brand Finance’s latest analysis of the strongest luxury and premium brands reveals that apparel dominates the global rankings, accounting for half of the world’s top 10 strongest brands. @Dior leads globally with a BSI score of 91.5/100, followed by @CHANEL (89.8/100) and @ROLEX (87.1/100), highlighting the enduring power of the world’s leading fashion houses to build desirability and trust across borders. At the local level, however, a different dynamic emerges. Champagne and wine brands benefit from a clear home-ground advantage, with France's @moetchandon (97.3/100) and Veuve Clicquot (95.2/100) in the top 3 local rankings. Their exceptional scores demonstrate how heritage, provenance, and cultural affinity can strengthen brand perceptions in domestic markets. While brands such as Dior, @Ferrari Rolex, @MaisonValentino and Chanel feature among both the strongest global and local performers, the results show that long-term success in luxury depends on balancing international appeal with local relevance. The strongest brands are those that can translate global prestige into meaningful connections with consumers in their home markets and beyond. Discover more insights here: ow.ly/zrCR50ZX2s8 At Brand Finance, we help organisations measure, maximise, and strengthen brand value through independent, data-driven advisory, enabling more informed strategic decision-making. Request more information by emailing [email protected]. #LuxuryAndPremium #Dior #Chanel #Rolex #MoetChandon #VeuveClicquot

The spirits category is moving in two directions at once: baijiu still dominates by value, while growth is increasingly coming from tequila and ready-to-drink formats. @MoutaiGlobal remains the world’s most valuable spirit brand, valued at USD59.6 billion, with Wuliangye following at USD27.3 billion. Xinghuacun Fen Wine, Luzhou Laojiao, and @JackDaniels_US’s complete the top five, showing the continued weight of Chinese baijiu at the top end of the global spirits table. Brand strength presents a more diverse picture. Crown Royal leads the strongest spirit brands with a BSI score of 96/100, ahead of Wuliangye at 93.6/100 and Moutai at 92.1/100. In a sector facing softer demand and trade pressure, the strongest brands are those combining scale with credibility, pricing power, and relevance across occasions. For more insights: ow.ly/Ey6J50ZWHj4 Understanding brand value is critical to effective strategic decision-making. Brand Finance helps organisations measure, manage, and maximise the financial value of their brands. Request more information by emailing us at [email protected] #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #SpiritBrands #BrandValue #BrandStrength

At the top of this year’s Champagne & wine ranking, the momentum sits firmly with Champagne rather than still wine. @moetchandon remains the most valuable Champagne & wine brand, valued at USD2.3 billion. Veuve Clicquot follows at USD1.4 billion, while Barefoot comes in close behind at USD1.3 billion. The value story is led by Champagne, but brand strength tells a slightly different story. Barefoot is the strongest Champagne & wine brand, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 85.1/100, ahead of Mumm at 81/100 and Moët & Chandon at 80.3/100. It shows how premium occasion-led brands and accessible everyday wine brands can both build powerful positions, just in very different ways. For more insights: ow.ly/GL4y50ZW8r5 Brand Finance is the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy, helping organisations connect brand strength to business performance. For more information, contact us at [email protected] today. #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #BrandValue #BrandStrength

AI is transforming B2B marketing, but it also raises a key question: if everyone can create content, how do brands stand out? At Brand Finance’s World’s Most Valuable B2B Brands 2026 report launch in London, we sat down with Zulfia Nafees, SVP & Global Head of Brand at @hcltech, to discuss how AI is reshaping each stage of the marketing funnel. From generative content to always-on campaigns, Zulfia explains why the real differentiator won’t be AI itself, but what she calls “NICE”: nuance, intelligent judgement, creativity, and ethics. Watch the full interview below. youtube.com/watch?v=PXmc33PP… #BrandFinance #B2B #B2BMarketing #BrandStrategy

Beer brand growth is shifting beyond the US, and the latest ranking shows how global and regional challengers are gaining momentum. Corona Extra remains the world’s most valuable beer brand, valued at USD13.9 billion, narrowly ahead of @HEINEKENCompany at USD13.8 billion. Modelo Especial completes the top three at USD8 billion, reinforcing the growing importance of Mexican beer brands in the global ranking. The brand strength story adds another layer. @tsingtao leads the strongest beer brands with a BSI score of 95.7/100, ahead of Sagres at 92.5/100 and Leffe at 92.1/100. All three achieved the coveted AAA+ brand strength rating, showing how brand performance is not only about scale, but also about consumer connection, relevance, and momentum. For more insights: brandirectory.com/reports/al… @abinbev Bridging the gap between marketing performance and financial value, we translate brand perception into measurable financial insight to support valuation, forecasting, and strategic decision-making. Speak to our team of experts today via [email protected]  #BrandFinance #AlcoholicDrinks2026 #Beer #BrandValue #BrandStrength

Chinese brands are stepping confidently onto the world stage. On 14 October 2026 at 16:30, the Brand Finance China Brand Forum 2026: Sunrise in the East – Chinese Brands Going Global returns to Mansion House in the City of London for its third year. The Forum will bring together senior business leaders, investors, diplomats, and brand experts from China and Europe to exchange perspectives on the evolving global landscape for Chinese brands. Discussions will explore how Chinese brands can strengthen their international presence, from building competitive advantage and driving innovation to navigating localisation, consumer trust, and the challenges of entering new markets. Ahead of this year’s Forum, revisit some of the highlights and conversations from the 2025 event. Find out more about this year’s Forum here: brandfinance.com/events/bran… #ChinaBrandForum #ChineseBrands #BrandFinance