The US stock market has certainly been struggling to find any consistency throughout the year so far. Periods of volatility have been the overarching theme, but that could be key for some top-tier tech stocks. Amid continual shifts in market cap, will Apple (AAPL) or Microsoft (MSFT) end 2025 as the world’s most valuable company?
Both firms have been lobbying to emerge as the leading company by market cap this year. They have competed with Nvidia (NVDA), the only other company in the $3 trillion mark. However, if we compare the two Magnificent 7 stocks that may be the most diversified on Wall Street, which has a better chance to edge out the competition?
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Apple or Microsoft: Which Will Be the Largest Company by Market Cap at 2025’s End?
The US stock market had struggled to start the week, with things turning around notably Tuesday. Chipmaking strength and positive economic data saw the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all edge upward. That is only reinforcing what is growing optimistic for some of the markets’ mega-cap stocks.
For so long, Apple was the unequaled leader of market cap rankings. The iPhone developer was not only the first to reach a $2 trillion market value but also became the first to reach a $3 trillion mark. However, that dominance has waned in recent months. Therefore, it is pertinent to ask, will either Apple or Microsoft emerge as the world’s most valuable company by the end of 2025?
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Microsoft is currently atop the rankings with a $3.4 trillion value. Apple trails notably behind in 3rd with a $3.028 trillion market cap. When considering how that will trend out, it is important to first look at growth. That is where the reality of the trajectories becomes starkly apparent.
Microsoft has seen its revenue grow an impressive 36% over the last 3 years. Alternatively, Apple revenue growth has stagnated, jumping just 3% in that same timeframe. That looks to be a worrisome reality, as the number of iPhone buyers decreases seemingly by the year.
The artificial intelligence race has increasingly complicated the company’s road ahead. Apple has struggled to make headway in AI, with Microsoft’s OpenAI collaboration proving vital to its standing. Altogether, it would be increasingly difficult for Apple to overcome both Nvidia and Microsoft for the rest of 2025. That being said, the Windows developer could be on pace to end the year atop its peers in the tech space, leading in overall market value.