Harris Poll: Brands Ain't Stock Prices (SNE)(TM)(KO)

Another study has come out showing the lack of a connection between brand reputation and share price activity.

Harris Interactive "best brands" survey was based on a poll of 2,372 adults from June 5 through June 11. The brand that finished in first place was Coca-Cola (KO). It shares are up about 25% over the last year, about the same as the market. Next on the list is Sony (SNE). Its shares are up about 30%, a little better than the S&P. Next come Toyota (TM). Its performance over the last year is about the same as Sony’s.

In fourth place is Dell (DELL). That has to be a relief for the company. The stock is up 35%, a fair amount more than the market over the last year. The Ford (F), which has to be amazing to most investors, give the horrible sales performance at the company. Ford’s shares are up 40% over the last year.

Kraft (KFT) is next. Nelson Pelts and Carl Icahn have good taste. The company is an under-performer, up 17%. Pepsi Cola (PEP) which is up only 7%. Apple follows in ninth place. That company’s shares are up over 160%.

Last on the top ten is Honda. It shares are up the same as the S&P.

Falling off the list were GE (GE) which is up slightly less than the S&P and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) with its shares up 52%.

It’s nice to be loved, but probably better to make your shareholders money.

Douglas A. McIntyre