Microsoft vs. Apple: The tussle for the title of world's most valuable company

1/16/24 7:00PM

Another bite at the Apple

‍Over the last 5 years, the same headline — Microsoft overtakes Apple to become the world’s most valuable company — has been true on a number of occasions: first in 2018, as iPhone sales stalled, then briefly in 2020, and again in late 2021. Each time, the crown has been Microsoft’s only fleetingly, as Apple stock has pushed higher and higher, soaring to become the first company valued at more than $3 trillion in Jan 2022.

This time, however, feels somewhat different. Primarily through its investment in ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI, Microsoft has cemented itself as a leader in the burgeoning space, integrating AI into almost all of its products, including its search engine Bing and much of the Microsoft software suite. The company is even building an “AI button” into its new keyboards, which will take users straight to Microsoft Copilot, a chatbot and generative AI tool.

Apple, meanwhile, is yet to really make its mark in the AI arms race. The company has also reported 4 consecutive quarters of slipping sales, cut prices in China, seen its latest smart watch dogged by a patent infringement, and needs to figure out a go-to market strategy for its new ~$3,500 Vision Pro. But, if history is anything to go by, Apple will find a way to get back on top.

Nate Becker21h

Tesla CEO Elon Musk wins appeal for his 2018 pay package

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has won an appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court, restoring his 2018 pay package that was worth $56 billion at the time but has since ballooned in value, Reuters reports.

Two years ago, a lower court had struck down the compensation deal, calling it “unfathomable,” and Musk has been fighting for it since then.

Of course, Musk was recently awarded an even bigger pay package that could potentially award him $1 trillion over time. Tesla shares were recently up 0.5% in after-hours trading.

Musk wins appeal and restores 2018 Tesla pay deal worth $56 billion

Of course, Musk was recently awarded an even bigger pay package that could potentially award him $1 trillion over time. Tesla shares were recently up 0.5% in after-hours trading.

Jon Keegan12/19/25

OpenAI’s reported fundraising valuation keeps jumping by hundreds of billions of dollars

OpenAI is reportedly in talks to raise as much as $100 billion, with a valuation of....~~$500 billion...$750 billion~~ $830 billion?

This is getting ridiculous. This week we have read multiple reports that OpenAI is in early discussions with potential investors about a significant fundraising round of up to $100 billion, to help cover its cloud computing costs.

On Tuesday, The Information reported a major $10 billion investment from Amazon in OpenAI, with a valuation higher than $500 billion
On Wednesday, The Information reported that the $100 billion round would give OpenAI a valuation of $750 billion
Today, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the $100 billion round would give OpenAI a valuation of as much as $830 billion

The spread from $500 billion to $830 billion is pretty wild, and we are wondering what it might be by next week.

Exclusive | OpenAI’s New Fundraising Round Could Value Startup at as Much as $830 Billion

On Tuesday, The Information reported a major $10 billion investment from Amazon in OpenAI, with a valuation higher than $500 billion
On Wednesday, The Information reported that the $100 billion round would give OpenAI a valuation of $750 billion
Today, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the $100 billion round would give OpenAI a valuation of as much as $830 billion

The spread from $500 billion to $830 billion is pretty wild, and we are wondering what it might be by next week.

Alexander C. Kaufman

Power play

12/18/25

Inside Trump Media’s head-scratching $6 billion merger to become a nuclear fusion company

“TAE is swinging for the fences for a grand slam,” one analyst told us, but the odds are against it.

Hand Holding an Atomic Rock Above a City

Jon Keegan12/18/25

Report: OpenAI in early talks for new fundraising round with $750 billion valuation

Just yesterday, we were reading about how Amazon was in talks to invest as much as $10 billion in OpenAI, with an eye-popping valuation of more than $500 billion. But those numbers might already be old.

A new report by The Information says that OpenAI is in early talks to raise as much as $100 billion, with a $750 billion valuation.

The company is reportedly estimating its fast-growing revenue will hit $100 billion by 2028, but it also expects to burn $115 billion in cash through 2029.

OpenAI Has Discussed Raising Tens of Billions at Valuation Around $750 Billion

The company is reportedly estimating its fast-growing revenue will hit $100 billion by 2028, but it also expects to burn $115 billion in cash through 2029.

GOP Lawmakers In D.C. Poised To Vote On Waivers That Allow California To Set Own Emissions Standards

US electric vehicle sales are expected to slide nearly 40% in Q4

This is weirdly good news for Tesla.

Rani Molla12/18/25