Apple, the world's most valuable tech company, may soon be overtaken by Microsoft. According to MarketWatch, Microsoft is closing the gap and currently valued at $2.73 trillion compared to Apple's $2.83 trillion. Microsoft's stock has risen by 57% in 2023, while Apple's growth has been about 48%. Microsoft's cloud platform, Azure, is attracting businesses and challenging Apple's hardware-driven dominance. The iPhone, Apple's main revenue source, faces challenges as the smartphone market saturates. Apple is exploring alternative revenue streams such as services like Apple Music and the App Store. Two analysts have downgraded Apple's stock in 2024. Apple's upcoming spatial computing device, VisionPro, may provide a competitive edge, but Microsoft could become the most valuable tech company in the short run.
Apple
has been the world’s most
valuable tech company
for a while now. It was the first to clock 1 trillion dollars in market capitalisation and then it hit the three trillion dollar mark as well. However, it looks like Apple may be overtaken by Microsoft. According to a report by MarketWatch,
Microsoft
is closing the gap on Apple. As per the report, currently Microsoft is valued at $2.73 trillion whereas Apple is valued at $2.83 trillion.
The gap is about $100 billion. “Apple hasn’t been worth less than Microsoft since a 14-session stretch that ended Nov. 17, 2021, and the market-cap gap hasn’t been this small since Nov. 22, 2021,” notes the report.
The stock value of Microsoft has come of stronger in 2023 compared to Apple. As per the report, Microsoft’s stock has risen by 57% in 2023 where for Apple the growth has been about 48%.
Microsoft's cloud platform Azure has been doing quite well. The growth has been attracting businesses of all sizes, who are increasingly relying on Azure's cloud infrastructure and AI-powered services. This shift towards cloud computing, a market where Microsoft is a leader, could chip away at Apple's hardware-driven dominance.
Apple's bread and butter, the iPhone, faces challenges. While still a top-selling device, its growth has plateaued in recent years. The smartphone market is nearing saturation, and Apple has been looking at alternative streams for revenue growth. Services like Apple Music and App Store offer potential, but they haven't yet reached the revenue heights of the iPhone.
As per the report, two analysts have so far downgraded Apple’s stock in 2024. Apple may have a few AI tricks up its sleeve and then there’s the imminent arrival of VisionPro — the first spatial computing device. It will mark Apple’s entry in a new category altogether. Microsoft may just edge out Apple as the most valuable tech company in the short run.
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