Microsoft was the first software company to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization in intraday trading.
Microsoft passed the $1 trillion mark during trading on April 25, 2019. The milestone followed a long transformation from a personal-computer software company into a diversified technology business built around Windows, Office, Azure cloud computing, Xbox, LinkedIn, and professional services.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in 1975. Its early success came from licensing operating systems, especially MS-DOS, to computer manufacturers. Windows later became the company’s best-known consumer platform.
Microsoft’s milestone is distinct from Apple’s earlier achievement as the first publicly traded company to reach $1 trillion overall. Microsoft was the first software-focused company to reach that level, while several other technology firms later crossed it.