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Apple is now the world's most valuable company

by Chris Rawson Aug 10th 2011 at 4:57PM

Apple and ExxonMobil played market cap tag yesterday, but at market close today Apple has pulled ahead and is now the most valuable company in the world. Apple's market cap now stands at US$337.17 billion, over $6 billion more than Exxon's $330.77 billion market cap.

Market cap is only one way of measuring a company's value, and one could certainly argue that Exxon's chief product, petroleum, is a far more vital commodity to the world market than Macs, iPhones, and iPads. It's still a watershed moment for Apple, however, and the psychological impact of having the world's highest market cap is pretty phenomenal for a company that was on the ropes just 12 years ago.

Will Apple hold onto its spot at the top? It's impossible to say at this point, but unless Apple really stuffs something up in the near future, its competitors are going to have a hard time unseating Apple from its spot as the financial pinnacle of the tech industry.



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Apple and ExxonMobil played market cap tag yesterday, but at market close today Apple has pulled ahead and is now the most valuable...
 

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dnyank1

I bought 1000 shares of apple in 2001 (or 2002) for about 17 dollars (sold my car for it... and for a down payment on my house...) that 17000 dollar investment is now worth 369,000 dollars. Win.

August 11 2011 at 4:34 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Doug Clinton

Except that the last time I looked, the world still extended beyond the Borders of the USA. Apple is now the most valuable company in the US, but only the second most valuable in the world, I believe. I can't recall the name of the largest company, but then I don't think I should have to do all your research for you.

August 11 2011 at 3:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Doug Clinton's comment
dnyank1

it was PetroChina, but they fell apart about 6 months ago...

apple is the largest in the world. fail on your part!

August 11 2011 at 4:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MetallicAfan

" but unless Apple really stuffs something up in the near future"

iPhone 5? I wonder what will that do...

August 11 2011 at 2:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike Fisher

C'mon guys, I'm fairly certain we can extend this event to THIS headline:

"Apple is now the most valuable company IN THE UNIVERSE!"

I think this is much more reasonable.

August 10 2011 at 8:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Catello

You mean "over-valued"... but yes. Good on you, apple... Wish I hadn't sold at 250 to fund a bicycle trip...

August 10 2011 at 6:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Catello's comment
kf98

At it's current market cap, there are very strong arguments that Apple is severely under-valued based on their net income, cash holdings, and beyond ridiculous YoY growth.

August 10 2011 at 7:32 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to kf98's comment
dnyank1

Yup! your are right!

August 11 2011 at 4:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down
asssvvvvxc

from near bankruptcy to most valuable company in the world in 14 years.

August 10 2011 at 5:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rob Cook

Nice going Maria, I had some Exxon for several years which tripled in value while I held it. I also liked that Exxon also payed a dividend unlike Apple. Having said that I would much rather have had Apple ;)

August 10 2011 at 5:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Rob Cook's comment
Erik Rogers

When companies start paying dividends thats how you know it's a dead-end stock.

August 11 2011 at 12:45 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Maria Langer

And I'm pleased to be one of the loyal Apple supporters who bought stock 12 years ago when it was on the rocks. My $180 investment is now worth more than $23K. (Yes, I'm gloating.)

August 10 2011 at 4:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Maria Langer's comment
stainboy

i'm envious. i would have been an AAPL investor had i been able to scrape together $180 12 years ago. hard to invest when your grocery runs consist mostly of ramen noodle packs....

August 10 2011 at 4:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Michael

Right there with you, Captain. :)

August 10 2011 at 5:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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