Apple's surging stock has propelled the company's value to US$624 billion, the world's highest, ever - beating the record for market capitalization set by Microsoft.
Watch the video to see technology commentator Steve Simms speak to Firstline this morning.
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.
Apple is now worth 54 percent more than No. 2 Exxon Mobil Corp, and analysts believe the launch of a new iPhone in a month or two will be Apple's biggest product introduction yet.
Apple's stock surge has made it a major part of many investment portfolios, often without the investors realizing it. The company makes up 4.7 percent of the value of the S&P 500 index, which is used as the basis for many mutual funds.
By coincidence, the peak price for one Apple share is now less than US$2 away from the retail price of the Apple I computer in 1976. It sold for US$666.66.
3 News / AP