Apple value at record high
20/08/2012 - 17:45
Apple has become the world's most valuable company, ever.
Its surging share price propelled its value to $621bn (€503.3bn), 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 second-placed Exxon Mobil.
The comparison to Microsoft does not take inflation into account, however. In inflation-adjusted dollars, the software giant was worth about 850bn (€689bn) on December 30, 1999. Microsoft is now worth $257bn (€208.3bn).