At $621 Billion, Apple is Most Valuable Company Ever
As Apple's stock crossed the $660 mark and continued to climb driven by iPhone 5 rumors, the company became the world's most valuable company that is not owned by a government entity.
Apple closed Monday trading at $665.15, up $17.04 or 2.63 percent from Friday. The market cap landed at $623.53 billion. The previous record holder was Microsoft, which peaked on December 30, 1999 at $660 billion. Microsoft is valued at $257.1 billion today.
There are still analysts who believe that Apple has plenty of room to grow. Craig Berger from FBR Capital Markets said that he believes that Apple could sell 250 million iPhone 5 handsets. He expects that the device will deliver a profit of about $47 billion for Apple. The new phone is expected to launch on September 12, with sales starting on September 21.
Apple's valuation is well ahead of other industry giants such as GE ($221.0 billion) or Exxon Mobil ($406.0 billion). It is unfortunate that Steve Jobs was not given the time to enjoy this day, which surely would have been reason to reflect on the day he was fired from the company he co-founded. Another moment also worth looking back on is from April 21, 1997 when Steve Jobs answered a rude question from a person in the audience who carried the general sentiment that Jobs was not up to the task to lead Apple into a new era.
If we have learned something, then it is clearly the fact that Jobs's vision of a cohesive product environment resonates with consumers and is the foundation for huge financial success.

But what do most Journalists know about math and economics...
The company has no hard assets except for a shiny office building, no manufacturing. The majority of it's suppliers are overseas and so are the majority of the jobs the business created. Talk about a disservice the the US economy and our Import/Export balance sheets with Korea and China.
Corrected for inflation, Microsoft was worth around $850BN at their peak, so Apple still has a way to go to surpass them.
But what do most Journalists know about math and economics...
The company has no hard assets except for a shiny office building, no manufacturing. The majority of it's suppliers are overseas and so are the majority of the jobs the business created. Talk about a disservice the the US economy and our Import/Export balance sheets with Korea and China.
"The previous record holder was Microsoft, which peaked on December 30, 1999 at $660 billion."
Most valuable company ever?
Good for Apple, IMHO.
People can scream "isheep" all they want, but facts are facts. This company is doing something right to be making a fortune and at the same time keeping their customers happy.
Blue sucker, red sucker, we all have our own taste.
But what do most Journalists know about math and economics...
The company has no hard assets except for a shiny office building, no manufacturing. The majority of it's suppliers are overseas and so are the majority of the jobs the business created. Talk about a disservice the the US economy and our Import/Export balance sheets with Korea and China.
The title reads "At $621 Billion, Apple is Most Valuable Company Ever"
Where in the article you state
Toms is really starting to ruin there reputation as a news source. I wanted to read apple fanism then I would go hit up a Apple Forum. I personally prefer to get unbiased news that is complete and accurate.
Not the gibberish I seen lately either your amateur news bloggers are your serious Journalist. I think its time to decide and I think its only right you do for people who do read toms news.
IB
Customers choose Apple products, because they are extremely well-rounded - powerful, easy to use, beautiful, and function as advertised.
Kudos to Apple. This is the ultimate rags to riches story. They really earned this milestone!
Also, Tom's own numbers contradict themselves: MS peak valuation (not adjusted for inflation/dollar) was $660Billion. Apple's peak valuation is $623Billion. Not seeing where 623 > 660.
Of any current company valued today, they are at the top.
Regardless, throughout their time, Apple has accomplished a lot...FOR ME TO POOP ON!!! I KEED, I KEED!!!
But what do most Journalists know about math and economics...
The company has no hard assets except for a shiny office building, no manufacturing. The majority of it's suppliers are overseas and so are the majority of the jobs the business created. Talk about a disservice the the US economy and our Import/Export balance sheets with Korea and China.
Corrected for inflation, Microsoft was worth around $850BN at their peak, so Apple still has a way to go to surpass them.
You trolls are unbelievable. Apple is listed as the most valuable company ever. This is factual. There is no disputing it. But because the usual (tired and lame) comments trolling Apple didn't get voted up, now all of a sudden, it's someone from multiple accounts doing it?
Grow up.
Of course, plenty of people think Obama's deficit is higher than Regan, Bush or Bush because of the *slightly* bigger number... Well, guess what? The dollar was a lot more valuable before Regan, Bush and Bush devalued it so much. But hey "OMG, TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT, THAT IS TECHNICALLY A BIGGER NUMBER WHEN NOT ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT FOR INFLATION!!! WORST PRESIDENT EVAR!!!!! LESS ROADS, SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL SECURITY, MOAR WARS PLZ!!!!"