Apple becomes the most valuable company in the world... ever

Apple is the world’s most valuable company, ever.

Yesterday, its surging stock propelled the company’s value to $623bn (€504bn), beating the record for market capitalisation set by Microsoft in the heady days of the internet boom.

After a four-month dip, Apple’s stock has hit new highs recently because of optimism around what is believed to be the impending launch of the iPhone 5, and possibly a smaller, cheaper iPad.