Microsoft and Apple are the first companies to cross the US$1.5 trillion market-cap threshold

This week (starting June 8, 2020) has already seen considerable success for big tech stocks. For example, Alphabet has once again seen a US$1 trillion market cap for the second time, the first having arisen in  January 2020. Similarly, Amazon currently has one of $1.3 trillion. However, neither quite approaches the record-breaking performance of Microsoft or Apple, who have reportedly made it to $1.5 trillion in the same terms.

Market analysts attribute this success to a less-than-voluntary shift to remote and home working (mostly for Microsoft) and a growing level of enthusiasm for upcoming 5G tech (in Apple's case). In addition, the anticipated shift to in-house chipsets for Macs may also be driving Apple's share value.

On the other hand, this may also be perceived as a risk from the investor's point of view. For example, Jeriel Ong, an analyst with Deustche Bank, points out that in potentially starting its own ARM chip line, Apple is putting itself in the crosshairs of the vastly more experienced Intel.

In addition, atypical chipsets may end up suffering from support issues, as owners of devices incorporating them sometimes learn to their cost. On the other hand, Apple has had no problem updating its Bionic chipset-powered iPhones and iPads.

In any case, Apple's share price remains at the $350 level this week. Microsoft's value remains at around $195 per share, whereas those of Alphabet and Amazon are pegged at well over $1000 and $2000 respectively.