Microsoft Overtakes Apple as World’s Most Valuable Company
Microsoft surpassed Apple as the world’s most valuable publicly traded company on Friday, ending a two-year reign by the iPhone maker.
The software giant’s market capitalization rose to $2.89 trillion at the close of trading, edging out Apple’s $2.87 trillion valuation. The last time Microsoft was worth more than Apple was in November 2021, when both companies briefly crossed the $1 trillion mark.
Microsoft’s stock has gained 3.3% so far this year, boosted by its strong performance in cloud computing, artificial intelligence and gaming. The company has also benefited from its partnership with OpenAI, a research organization that develops cutting-edge AI technologies. Microsoft has integrated OpenAI’s generative models into its products, such as its chat mode, which can create imaginative and innovative content.
Apple, on the other hand, has seen its shares drop 3.4% this year, amid concerns over slowing iPhone sales, especially in China, where it faces stiff competition from Huawei and other local brands. The company has also faced supply chain disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and regulatory pressures from antitrust authorities around the world.
Apple’s latest product launch, the Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset that combines augmented and virtual reality, has received mixed reviews from analysts and consumers. Some have praised its innovative features and design, while others have criticized its high price and limited availability. UBS estimated that the Vision Pro would have a “relatively immaterial” impact on Apple’s earnings in 2024.
Microsoft and Apple are not the only tech giants vying for the top spot in the global market. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, Amazon and Nvidia are also valued above $1 trillion, while Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, is close to joining the club. Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia, is also worth more than $2 trillion, making it the third most valuable company in the world.
The rivalry between Microsoft and Apple dates back to the 1980s, when they competed in the personal computer market. Since then, they have expanded into different domains, such as mobile devices, cloud services, digital assistants and entertainment. While they have also collaborated on some projects, such as Microsoft Office for Mac, they have also clashed over patents, pricing and privacy.
Analysts expect both companies to continue growing in the coming years, as they invest in new technologies and markets. However, they also face challenges from emerging competitors, such as Tesla, Shopify and ByteDance, as well as from social and environmental issues, such as cybersecurity, misinformation and climate change.
