Two characteristics consistently emerge across future-ready companies: the ability to balance agility with technological patience. This is a key finding of IMD’s Future Readiness Indicator, published today.
The latest ranking of the world’s top automotive, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and financial services companies from IMD’s Center for Future Readiness has revealed what it takes for organizations to navigate uncertain times.
This release of the Future Readiness Indicator, which ranks 87 of the world’s largest companies across the three sectors in terms of resilience, highlights how organizations across each sector are navigating extreme volatility and uncertainty. From war and sanctions to trade disputes and tariffs, businesses and their leaders need to be agile and able to respond to the changing parameters.
Highlights from the 2025 Future Readiness Indicator report show that:
- BYD has erased Tesla’s once-unassailable lead, and Chinese dominance in the automotive sector is deepening, with three Chinese manufacturers taking up the top four positions.
- L’Oréal and Coca-Cola proved that investment in technological innovation and AI insights is key to staying ahead of their peers.
- Mastercard and DBS have turned compliance into competitive firepower.
“Agility is all about quick pivots. You spot new conditions, shift direction, tweak policies, and ride cultural waves, always evolving so you stay ahead,” said Howard Yu, Director of the Center. “Technological patience is the flip side. You know where each innovation sits on the adoption curve, so keep your finances strong enough to bankroll smart digital experiments when the timing is right.”
For in-depth analytics and interactive comparative graphs, please visit:
The future of the global automotive industry: The race is far from over
The future of CPG: Opportunity is on the horizon
The future of finance: Innovation underpins success
Future Readiness Indicator report
The Future Readiness Indicator report, Future Readiness in the Era of Adaptability, takes a deep dive into the data and showcases how automotive, consumer packaged goods, and financial services companies have performed in this year’s Future Readiness Indicator. The report looks at the forces transforming these sectors in 2025 and offers insights into what companies can do to prepare. It also takes an in-depth look at which companies are leading the pack and those that are falling behind.
Visit the Future Readiness Indicator webpage to download the report.
