Technology
20 Years of Apple vs. Microsoft, by Market Capitalization
See this visualization first on the Voronoi app.
Charted: 20 Years of Apple vs. Microsoft
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
For years, Apple and Microsoft have been switching places as the world’s most valuable company, in terms of market capitalization.
In today’s chart, we explore this history, as well as key events over the past two decades, based on data from CompaniesMarketCap and both companies. Data is from January 16, 2024.
A History of the Battle for Market Cap Dominance
During the 1990s, Microsoft capitalized on the success of Windows, supplanting General Electric as the most valuable company in the U.S. in the process.
Around the same time, Apple was on the brink of bankruptcy due to intense competition in the personal computer market, high product pricing, and a lack of innovation. The company also suffered from numerous failed attempts to modernize the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS) and the failed launches of products like QuickTake digital cameras, PowerCD portable CD, audio players, speakers, and the Pippin video game console.
Over the next decade, however, after the return of Steve Jobs as the CEO, Apple’s stock performance was legendary. This can be attributed to the success of products such as the iMac, iPod, and iPhone, the launch of the famous “Think Different” advertising brand campaign, and opening the Apple Store retail chain.
| Date | Event | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2008 | iPhone | Apple |
| Jul 2008 | App Store | Apple |
| Feb 2010 | Azure | Microsoft |
| April 2010 | iPad | Apple |
| Mid-2011 | Tim Cook in as CEO. Steve Jobs dies | Apple |
| Feb 2014 | Satya Nadella becomes CEO | Microsoft |
| Dec 2016 | LinkedIn acquisition | Microsoft |
| Dec 2016 | AirPods | Apple |
| Jan 2022 | Activision Blizzard acquisition | Microsoft |
| Early-2023 | Microsoft invests $10B into OpenAI | Microsoft |
In 2004, Microsoft had a market cap of $291 billion compared to Apple’s $26 billion. By the end of that decade, Apple would reach $297 billion, surpassing its rival ($234 billion).
| Market cap (USD) | Apple | Microsoft |
|---|---|---|
| 2024* | $3.002 T | $3.009 T |
| 2023 | $2.994 T | $2.794 T |
| 2022 | $2.066 T | $1.787 T |
| 2021 | $2.901 T | $2.522 T |
| 2020 | $2.255 T | $1.681 T |
| 2019 | $1.287 T | $1.200 T |
| 2018 | $746.07 B | $780.36 B |
| 2017 | $860.88 B | $659.90 B |
| 2016 | $608.96 B | $483.16 B |
| 2015 | $583.61 B | $439.67 B |
| 2014 | $643.12 B | $381.72 B |
| 2013 | $500.74 B | $310.50 B |
| 2012 | $499.69 B | $223.66 B |
| 2011 | $377.51 B | $218.38 B |
| 2010 | $297.09 B | $234.52 B |
| 2009 | $190.98 B | $268.55 B |
| 2008 | $75.99 B | $172.92 B |
| 2007 | $174.03 B | $332.11 B |
| 2006 | $72.98 B | $291.94 B |
| 2005 | $60.79 B | $271.54 B |
| 2004 | $26.05 B | $290.71 B |
| 2003 | $7.88 B | $295.29 B |
| 2002 | $5.16 B | $276.63 B |
*As of January 2024
Since then, the top spot has been most often held by Apple. The company only fell behind Microsoft in 2018 when concerns about COVID-driven supply chain shortages affected the iPhone maker’s stock price.
More recently, the Apple vs. Microsoft race was shaken up once again. Microsoft became the world’s most valuable company in January 2024, after the rival iPhone maker’s shares had a weak start to the year due to growing concerns over demand in China.
Microsoft’s shares have also been strongly buoyed by the company’s early lead in generative artificial intelligence, mainly thanks to its early investment in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.
Technology
All of the Grants Given by the U.S. CHIPS Act
Intel, TSMC, and more have received billions in subsidies from the U.S. CHIPS Act in 2024.
All of the Grants Given by the U.S. CHIPS Act
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
This visualization shows which companies are receiving grants from the U.S. CHIPS Act, as of April 25, 2024. The CHIPS Act is a federal statute signed into law by President Joe Biden that authorizes $280 billion in new funding to boost domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors.
The grant amounts visualized in this graphic are intended to accelerate the production of semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs) across the United States.
Data and Company Highlights
The figures we used to create this graphic were collected from a variety of public news sources. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) also maintains a tracker for CHIPS Act recipients, though at the time of writing it does not have the latest details for Micron.
| Company | Federal Grant Amount | Anticipated Investment From Company |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 Intel | $8,500,000,000 | $100,000,000,000 |
| 🇹🇼 TSMC | $6,600,000,000 | $65,000,000,000 |
| 🇰🇷 Samsung | $6,400,000,000 | $45,000,000,000 |
| 🇺🇸 Micron | $6,100,000,000 | $50,000,000,000 |
| 🇺🇸 GlobalFoundries | $1,500,000,000 | $12,000,000,000 |
| 🇺🇸 Microchip | $162,000,000 | N/A |
| 🇬🇧 BAE Systems | $35,000,000 | N/A |
BAE Systems was not included in the graphic due to size limitations
Intel’s Massive Plans
Intel is receiving the largest share of the pie, with $8.5 billion in grants (plus an additional $11 billion in government loans). This grant accounts for 22% of the CHIPS Act’s total subsidies for chip production.
From Intel’s side, the company is expected to invest $100 billion to construct new fabs in Arizona and Ohio, while modernizing and/or expanding existing fabs in Oregon and New Mexico. Intel could also claim another $25 billion in credits through the U.S. Treasury Department’s Investment Tax Credit.
TSMC Expands its U.S. Presence
TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor foundry company, is receiving a hefty $6.6 billion to construct a new chip plant with three fabs in Arizona. The Taiwanese chipmaker is expected to invest $65 billion into the project.
The plant’s first fab will be up and running in the first half of 2025, leveraging 4 nm (nanometer) technology. According to TrendForce, the other fabs will produce chips on more advanced 3 nm and 2 nm processes.
The Latest Grant Goes to Micron
Micron, the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory chips, is set to receive $6.1 billion in grants to support its plans of investing $50 billion through 2030. This investment will be used to construct new fabs in Idaho and New York.
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