Market says Microsoft is most valuable
C|Net | at | by Mike
Microsoft is on top again, at least when it comes to market value. The software giant's market capitalization, a measure of the total value of a company as judged by the stock market, has reached $265.1 billion based on Monday's closing stock price of $49.29, making it the world's most valuable company. Microsoft passed General Electric to get the top spot, but was helped out by a steep decline in GE's stock price over the last few months. GE had a market cap of $242.3 billion at Monday's closing bell. Microsoft, which reports fiscal first-quarter earnings on Thursday, is the only tech company to make it into the top 10. Retailer Wal-Mart is third, with a market cap of $239.5 billion, followed by Exxon Mobil at $236 billion, and Pfizer at $191.4 billion.