LOW fares airline Ryanair has been ranked among the top 40 companies in the world by US magazine Wired.

The magazine rated companies on their role in reshaping the global economy and considered criteria such as innovation, technology, strategic vision and global reach.

Only six European companies made the list, published in the magazine's July issue and which is now in its sixth year.

Internet search engine Google topped the list. Other notable inclusions were Vodafone, GlaxoSmithKline and BP.

American computing companies IBM and Microsoft both made the top ten.

Chris Anderson, editor in chief of Wired, said: "These 40 companies each demonstrate the attributes in their respective industries that will define success in the next era of business.

"From global reach to smart use of networks, these firms are showing how it's done."