Apple became the first U.S. company valued at $1 trillion in 2018. Its market capitalization crossed the milestone on August 2, 2018, during trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
The achievement reflected decades of product development, including the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The iPhone was especially important because it created a large, recurring business in hardware, services, and accessories.
Apple was not the first company anywhere to reach the valuation. Saudi Aramco briefly reached a $2 trillion valuation after its 2019 public listing, and other companies have since passed the $1 trillion mark. Market capitalization also differs from revenue, profit, or the value of physical assets.
Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Its public valuation has continued to fluctuate with share prices, earnings expectations, and broader market conditions.