Today CNBC unveils the CNBC IQ100 Index, a first-of-its-kind rules-based index of large-cap companies that derive substantial revenue growth through the use of protected, proprietary technology. It is powered by MCAM-International, a firm that maintains an unprecedented archive of documents related to patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intangible assets from 160 countries. A mix of MCAM's proprietary algorithms comb the documents for relevant criteria and select the 100 index components. According to guidelines set by CNBC's editorial team, at least 90 percent of index components must be selected from the Russell 1000 universe, while up to 10 percent may come from a mix of high-scoring international companies that trade in the United States as American Depository Receipts (ADRs), small-cap and mid-cap companies.



The companies in the index are weighted according to each one's ability to invest in, develop, control and deploy intellectual property to achieve strategic advantage over competitors. Companies with the highest weighting maintain this type of advantage across multiple industries.

Johnson & Johnson is the highest-weighted stock in the index this quarter, followed by AMD and Amazon.