Microsoft owns the Azure cloud platform and became the second company to reach a $3 trillion market capitalization.
Microsoft briefly reached a $3 trillion valuation in January 2024, following Apple’s earlier milestone. Its share price was supported by demand for cloud computing through Azure and optimism about the company’s artificial-intelligence partnerships and products.
Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Its business expanded from operating systems and programming tools into productivity software, enterprise services, gaming, search, and cloud infrastructure. Microsoft 365, Windows, Xbox, LinkedIn, and Azure all contribute to the modern company.
A market-capitalization ranking can change quickly because it depends on share prices. Microsoft and Apple have repeatedly traded places near the top of global rankings. The $3 trillion milestone describes the value of Microsoft’s publicly traded equity, not the company’s total revenue or the cash it holds.