For the first time in the long history of the dueling computer companies, Apple Inc.'s market capitalization passed that of rival Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday, making Apple the most valuable technology company in the world.
Apple shares closed at $244.18, giving it a market cap of $222.6 billion, compared with Microsoft, which has a total stock value of $219.4 billion.
Apple's stock, which has repeatedly reached record highs in recent months, has risen nearly 16% since the beginning of the year, while Microsoft's has dropped almost 18 percent.
