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CompareApple vs Microsoft: how do the stocks compare?
AAPL and MSFT side by side, in plain English. This is an explanation of the two businesses, not a recommendation to buy either one.
| AAPL | MSFT | |
|---|---|---|
| Ticker | AAPL | MSFT |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Consumer Electronics | Software Infrastructure |
| Size | mega cap | mega cap |
| Market value | 4.9 trillion dollars | 3.84 trillion dollars |
Apple (AAPL)
Apple makes the iPhone, Mac and iPad, and sells apps, music and storage to the people who own them. Think of it as a shop that sells you a favorite gadget and then keeps selling you things for it.
- How well each new iPhone sells.
- Growth of the services business, which earns higher profits than devices.
- Rules and court cases about App Store fees, and trade and tariff news.
Microsoft (MSFT)
Microsoft sells the software most offices run on, like Windows, Word and Excel, and rents out giant computers over the internet. Companies pay it a little every month for tools they use every day.
- How fast Azure cloud sales are growing.
- Demand for its AI tools, including Copilot and its partnership with OpenAI.
- Spending on AI data centers, which is costly.
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What is the difference between AAPL and MSFT?
Apple makes the iPhone, Mac and iPad, and sells apps, music and storage to the people who own them. Think of it as a shop that sells you a favorite gadget and then keeps selling you things for it. Microsoft sells the software most offices run on, like Windows, Word and Excel, and rents out giant computers over the internet. Companies pay it a little every month for tools they use every day.
Which is bigger, Apple or Microsoft?
Apple has the larger market value, at about 4.9 trillion dollars.
Are Apple and Microsoft in the same industry?
Apple is in Consumer Electronics, while Microsoft is in Software Infrastructure.
Educational information, not financial advice. Figures are approximate and do not include live prices.