Apple became the first U.S. company to reach a $2 trillion market capitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020.
The milestone came during a period when investors strongly rewarded major technology companies. Apple’s business had a large digital-services component, and its hardware ecosystem helped it remain one of the world’s most valuable public companies despite widespread economic disruption.
Apple’s $2 trillion mark followed the company’s earlier $1 trillion achievement in 2018. Saudi Aramco had also been valued near $2 trillion after its public listing, so wording about the first company worldwide can depend on whether intraday or closing prices are used.
Market capitalization measures equity value, not total enterprise value, which also considers debt and cash.