Two of the world’s biggest technology giants—Apple and Nvidia—have achieved historic milestones in global markets. While Apple briefly crossed the US$4 trillion valuation mark for the first time, driven by strong demand for its latest iPhones, Nvidia surged closer to an unprecedented US$5 trillion valuation amid the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) boom.
Apple’s Record Market Milestone
Apple’s market capitalisation momentarily touched US$4.005 trillion after its shares hit $269.89 on Tuesday before closing slightly lower at US$3.992 trillion.
This achievement makes Apple the third company to reach the US$4 trillion milestone, following Nvidia and Microsoft.
The surge comes on the back of robust global sales of the iPhone 17 series and the ultra-slim iPhone Air, which performed exceptionally well across the U.S., China, and India. Analysts attribute Apple’s turnaround to strong consumer demand and the company’s ability to retain users within its ecosystem.
Despite concerns over U.S. tariffs affecting manufacturing hubs in Asia, Apple has managed to maintain profitability. Brokerage projections indicate that the tech major is on track to exceed quarterly expectations and post strong year-end guidance.
Nvidia’s AI Dominance Reshapes Global Tech Landscape
In contrast, Nvidia continues to dominate global markets through its AI leadership. The chipmaker’s valuation reached US$4.89 trillion, gaining nearly 5% in a single trading session after announcing US$500 billion in AI processor bookings and plans to construct seven supercomputers for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Nvidia’s success underscores its unrivaled dominance in AI hardware, with soaring demand for its Blackwell chips powering both commercial and government AI infrastructure worldwide.
Analysts predict Nvidia could soon become the first company in history to touch the US$5 trillion market cap, marking a defining moment in the AI-driven evolution of the technology industry.
Key Facts
- Apple became the third company to cross the US$4 trillion mark, after Nvidia and Microsoft.
- Nvidia is projected to become the first-ever US$5 trillion company, buoyed by US$500 billion AI chip orders.
- Apple’s iPhone 17 sales grew 14% year-on-year in major markets.
- Nvidia is building seven AI supercomputers for the U.S. Department of Energy, powered by 100,000 Blackwell chips.
AI Uncertainty and Market Outlook
While Nvidia’s trajectory remains firmly anchored in AI innovation, Apple is treading more cautiously in this space. Delays in the rollout of its Apple Intelligence suite, including the much-anticipated AI-enhanced Siri, have raised questions among investors about its long-term positioning in the AI race.
Nevertheless, Apple’s consistent hardware demand and ecosystem resilience provide solid footing, even as the global market shifts toward AI-driven technologies.
As Apple and Nvidia rewrite valuation records, their contrasting strategies symbolize the dual engines of modern tech growth—consumer electronics and artificial intelligence—that continue to shape the world’s economic future.