Apple has had an incredibly successful run in the stock market, and currently they’re positioned to take on the likes of Microsoft and Exxon. Economically Apple isn’t that strong, finishing at an underwhelming 42nd. But in stock market value, Apple’s raised some eyebrows.
From the Wall Street Journal, Smart Money reports:
Apple (AAPL: 254.22, +0.40, +0.15%) is suddenly America’s third-largest company by stock market value. Over the past three years, its shares have more than doubled in price, while those of No. 2 Microsoft (MSFT: 28.94, +0.01, +0.03%) and No. 1 Exxon Mobil (XOM: 63.27, -0.33, -0.51%) have fallen slightly. If that trend continues, Apple will be America’s largest company by year’s end.
Apple has had a dramatic history. They invented the first portable computers, led the way in innovation, then became incredibly stale (selling models that were incredibly similar at high prices) and almost failed completely. When Steve Jobs returned to the company, they’ve certainly had some flops, but it seems Apple is starting to reel in a vision they’ve perceived since the early 80’s. Today we have Apple, a fine crafter of aluminum and glass wares whose premium computers are geared towards everyone, and not just geeks. They went to the top, fell, and a clearly poised to rise again, become one of the greatest financial success stories in history.
Read Smart Money’s entire analysis and economic comparatives to companies like Dell in their latest article.
