Apple became the first American technology company to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization in 2018.
Apple crossed the threshold in August 2018 after investors responded positively to its financial results and the continued strength of the iPhone business. The milestone made Apple the first publicly traded company to achieve that valuation.
The figure was a market value, calculated from Apple’s share price and outstanding shares. It did not mean that Apple had $1 trillion in cash. Apple’s enormous valuation reflected expected future profits as well as its existing sales and assets.
The company later reached larger milestones, including $2 trillion in 2020 and $3 trillion in 2022. Other major technology companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet, subsequently passed $1 trillion.