Apple valued at $600bn for first time

Apple, already the world’s most valuable company, has reached the $600bn level for the first time.

Only one other company has been worth that much — Microsoft. The electronics giant reached that valuation for 13 trading days around the turn of the millennium at the peak of the technology stock mania.

At its highest level, on Dec 30, 1999, Microsoft’s valuation was $619bn. It is now worth $260bn.