Apple is world's most valuable firm

Press Association

Photo by The Verge

Apple has become the world's most valuable company, ever.
Its surging share price propelled its value to 621 billion dollars (£395 billion), beating the record for market capitalisation set by Microsoft in the heady days of the internet boom.

Apple's shares have hit new highs recently because of optimism around what is believed to be the impending launch of the iPhone 5, and possibly a smaller, cheaper iPad.


Apple has been the world's most valuable company since the end of last year. It is now worth 53% more than No. 2 Exxon Mobil.

The comparison to Microsoft does not take inflation into account. In inflation-adjusted dollars, the software giant was worth about 850 billion dollars on December 30, 1999 (£541 billion). Microsoft is now worth 257 billion dollars (£163 billion).


This article appeared on Yahoo UK News / Press Association: Apple is world's most valuable firm