Microsoft overtake Apple as world most valuable company

Microsoft are focusing on what it does best and ditching the rest.

Microsoft were overtaken by Apple in 2010 and made it seem as the "end of an era" at the time. However Microsoft finally bounced back after their big bet on cloud computing payed off to became the world's most valuable company once again after surpassing Apple for the first time since 2010.

The number 1 spot was taken, after concern over lower iPhone sales sent Apple shares down and therefore a few billion dollars separated the margin between the 2 companies. 

How did they do it

It all started in 2014, when Microsoft appointed  Satya Nadella as CEO in February of 2014, and ever since then, Microsoft stocks have been performing well. The software giant made big gains against their main rivals, Amazon, as they refocused Microsoft on the cloud. Compared to other tech giants, Microsoft have a diverse business as Windows, Xbox and Surface all form part of 36 percent of Microsoft's entire revenue, in comparison to the 86 percent of Google's revenue coming from ads.

The main focus of Microsoft is on cross-platform technologies, the cloud, artificial intelligence and also aims to secure the future of quantum computing and mixed reality computing. In the next years a lot of market cap position trading is to be expected as there will be some intense competition amongst all the major tech companies and possibly newer ones.

Back in 2014 The Nadella also made a few comments and was in fact spot on :

"This is a critical time for the industry and for Microsoft. Make no mistake, we are headed for greater places — as technology evolves and we evolve with and ahead of it. Our job is to ensure that Microsoft thrives in a mobile and cloud-first world."

Microsoft in the stock market

The Windows maker benefited from growth in cloud computing while Apple was hit by an investor which was concerned about the iPhone demand and therefore, Microsoft (MSFT.O) stock market value  closed above Apple Inc's (AAPL.O), for the first time in 8 years.

Microsofts stock market valuation briefly hit $812.93bn, against just $812.60bn for Apple, with Amazon trailing on $773bn. However, Apple were back on top by the time Wall street closed but although this happened, if the trends continue, Microsoft could be seeing themselves in the top spot sooner in the days to come.