Alphabet's market cap surpasses Apple's for first time since 2019 (www.cnbc.com)

Alphabet has overtaken Apple in market capitalization for the first time since 2019, closing at $3.88 trillion compared to Apple's $3.84 trillion. This significant shift reflects divergent strategies in artificial intelligence, with Alphabet aggressively advancing its AI capabilities, evidenced by the successful launch of its new AI chips and the highly praised Gemini 3 model. In 2025, Alphabet enjoyed a remarkable 65% rise in shares, its strongest performance since 2009, largely driven by substantial growth in its cloud business and AI initiatives. Conversely, Apple has struggled to make impactful strides in the AI landscape, with delays to its next-generation Siri assistant and a focus that appears to lag behind competitors. As a result, Wall Street analysts have expressed skepticism about Apple’s future growth potential, with some predicting challenging times ahead. This market cap reversal not only highlights Alphabet's successful pivot towards AI innovation but also serves as a crucial indicator of the shifting dynamics in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of AI advancement as a driver of market value.