"Microsoft Surpasses Apple in Market Value for the First Time in 18 Years"

Microsoft's market capitalization has surpassed Apple's by $309.4 billion, the widest gap since 2003, with Microsoft valued at $3.063 trillion and Apple at $2.754 trillion. Apple's stock has declined about 8% in 2024, following a 48% surge in 2023, while Microsoft's stock has continued to rise, up 10% this year. Microsoft is seen as a play on the hot artificial-intelligence market, benefiting from growing customer interest in AI workloads, while Apple's management has kept AI discussion minimal on recent earnings calls.