Apple Nears Top Spot as World's Second Most Valuable Company

Apple's market capitalization has risen to about US$4.56 trillion, putting it within striking distance of Nvidia, the world's most valuable firm, and ahead of Alphabet (Google) at roughly US$4.43 trillion. If the stock continues its recent gains, Apple is set to overtake Alphabet and become the second‑largest company by market value. The surge is driven by strong investor demand, a cautious but growing artificial‑intelligence strategy, and a recent partnership with Broadcom to produce more than 15 billion U.S.–made chips. Analysts note that investors are shifting interest toward AI opportunities beyond Nvidia, and Apple’s measured AI spending and use of external models have bolstered confidence in its future growth. The valuation climb has lifted Apple shares about 15 % this year, reinforcing its position among the sector’s “Great Seven” technology giants.