Apple's the World's Largest Company of All Time

APPLE PIE: Apple's surging stock propelled the company's value to $623 billion, the world's highest ever, beating the record for market capitalization set by Microsoft Corp. back in the heady days of the Internet boom. Apple Inc. has been the world's most valuable company since the end of last year, 53% more than Exxon Mobil Corp. Apple's stock hit $664.74 in midday trading before retreating slightly to $662.38. Microsoft's 1999 peak was $620.58 billion, according to Standard & Poor's. In inflation-adjusted dollars, the software giant was worth about $850 billion onDec. 30, 1999. Microsoft is now worth $257 billion. (8/21a)