Apple became the first company to reach a $2 trillion market capitalization in 2020.
Apple crossed $2 trillion on August 19, 2020. Saudi Aramco had reached an approximately $2 trillion valuation in December 2019, but Apple was the first company to reach the level using the market value record generally cited for a publicly traded corporation during that 2020 milestone period.
The distinction reflects the way valuation records are reported. Saudi Aramco's shares began trading on Tadawul in 2019, and its valuation briefly rose above $2 trillion during its early trading sessions. Apple's 2020 milestone was widely reported as the first $2 trillion valuation for a U.S. company and a major technology company.
Apple's market value was supported by its device ecosystem and services business. Its stock split later in 2020 changed the per-share price and share count but did not itself create economic value; the total market capitalization remained the relevant measure.