Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
May 26, 2010
" NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Microsoft's dominance as the tech industry's most valuable player has ended.
On Wednesday, Apple's market capitalization edged past its longtime rival's as investors made official what consumers have long suggested: Microsoft is no longer the industry's alpha dog.
Just last month, Microsoft's market cap exceeded Apple's by about $25 billion, but now Apple is in the lead by nearly $3 billion.
Microsoft's consumer products business is struggling to compete as Apple's hot new items like iPad and iPhone capture the attention of customers.
Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) fell 4% to close at $25.01 on Wednesday, while Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) lost 0.45%, closing at $244.11.
Shares of Microsoft have dipped more than 15% in the past couple weeks, while Apple's stock is down just over 6%, despite recent market volatility.
"What this really means is that Wall Street has more confidence in Apple's growth prospects than it does in Microsoft's growth prospects," said Matt Rosoff, lead analyst at Directions on Microsoft, an independent firm.
"Apple is showing high growth, with the launch of its iPad and its new iPhone coming out, and while Windows is a great competitor versus the Mac, Microsoft just hasn't come up with new areas of growth."
Microsoft's reputation as a market leader took another hit Tuesday when the company announced that it plans to shake up its management structure.
Amid the shuffle, Robbie Bach, who was in charge of years-long effort to turn Microsoft into more of a threat to Apple by heading the entertainment and devices group and overseeing innovative consumer products like Xbox and Zune, will retire from Microsoft in the fall.
"This just means those efforts didn't work out," said Roger Kay, president of analyst firm Endpoint Technologies. "It's sort of like Japanese samurai ethic, which says you need to fall on your sword to maintain your honor."
Tow the line or keep up with the Joneses?
Part of Microsoft's problem is that, instead of finding its own audience, it has fallen into a game of catch-up and is focusing too much energy on finding products to directly rival Apple's, said Kay.
"I don't know if they have to compete," he said. "What seems to be working for Microsoft is its serious applications for businesses, education institutions and other enterprises, and if they stay focused on their commercial business that gives them a lot."
While Microsoft's first quarter earnings were boosted by the success of its new operating system, Windows 7, Apple's record profit and revenue in the first quarter was driven by iPhone sales.
And many of Microsoft's efforts to branch out have been met with little success. For example, the company's Zune music player, meant to rival the iPod, has failed to create the same buzz as Apple's device, with sales dropping significantly in 2009.
Microsoft even looked into creating a tablet computer that would have competed directly with the iPad, which Apple introduced at the beginning of April, selling more than 1 million in the first 28 days of release. But Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer ended up pulling the plug on the project before the tablet ever made it to market.
"Zune hasn't gone anywhere, their tablet is dead, their phones are having trouble establishing a market position -- but consumers still use Office and Windows," said Kay.
Other experts say that Microsoft shouldn't stop at its core business, and that it simply needs to innovate more -- and faster -- in order to stay competitive.
"They have to continue to try to find other businesses, otherwise growth is always going to be bound by the PC market," said Rosoff.
Until Microsoft develops a clear direction and finds new ways to innovate, Apple will continue to push ahead, he said.
"Wall Street believes in Apple because Apple continues to put out new products that capture the imaginations of the press and tech pundits," said Rosoff. "Microsoft just hasn't been able to come up with a new multi billion dollar business like Apple." "
:source: Source: Apple topples Microsoft's throne:view: Homepage: CNN Money
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
stocks don't necessarily mean a company is good ya know...
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
Apple might be more evil than microsoft if they take over. I want nothing to do with the ifad craze going on.
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
market capitalization != net worth of a company.
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mtow24
stocks don't necessarily mean a company is good ya know...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mokhtar
market capitalization != net worth of a company.
Of course not.
"What this really means is that Wall Street has more confidence in Apple's growth prospects than it does in Microsoft's growth prospects," said Matt Rosoff, lead analyst at Directions on Microsoft, an independent firm.
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
Ipad, Iphone, but not the OS. people don't go out and buy a new puter every year but I'm sure most do phone and gadgets
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
Better os and better hardware....Glad to see it happening now......and that is coming from an ex 25 year windoze user.
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
Doesen't surprise me. Seems as whatever apple puts an i infront of sells like mad!
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
I believe Hitler once said:
"If you tell a lie long and loud enough, people will eventually start to believe it."
This Applies to apple, they seem to have tricked pretentious apple product owners. They really believe they are getting something "Superior," Just because it's made by apple.
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
I'm right behind eros on this one.
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
Now if Apple can keep the people making their stuff from killing themselves due to workplace conditions...
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
Re: Apple's value overtakes Microsoft
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dattebayo
apple = creative
As Skizo would say, good point, well represented.
