Move over Gates: Apple now most valuable company ever

Apple shares hit a new high of $665, up $14.98 on Friday's close and 2.63% overall as speculation grew over the launch of an iPhone 5 and a smaller, cheaper iPad. Microsoft's 1999 peak was $620.58bn according to Standard & Poor's. In inflation-adjusted dollars, the software giant was worth about $850bn in December 1999, the peak of the dot com bubble. Microsoft is now worth $257bn. Apple, in contrast, is now worth more than Microsoft and Google combined. Apple has been the world's most valuable company since the end of last year and is now worth 53% more than Exxon Mobil, the world...