The Apple logo is seen in this September 11, 2012 file photo at the Yerba Buena Center for Arts in San Francisco. Apple shares plunged at the open January 24, 2013 as markets reacted to a disappointing outlook from the US tech giant despite its record quarterly profits. The shares, which had topped $700 last year, slid 11.3 percent to $455.56 as markets opened, before trading in the shares was suspended due to the sharp decline. AFP Photo

NEW YORK, Jan 25, 2013 - Apple shares extended their losses Friday, as the California tech giant lost its position as the world's biggest company based on market value.

In midday trade on Wall Street, Apple shares were down 2.37 percent at $439.82, giving it a market capitalization of $412 billion. Oil giant ExxonMobil meanwhile rose 0.26 percent to $91.60 with a market cap of $417 billion.

In August 2011, Apple first overtook ExxonMobil as the most valuable company in the world based on the value of its stock.

A year later, Apple dethroned longtime rival Microsoft as the most valuable company in history based on the value of its stock at $622 billion.

Apple took a bruising this week after a gloomy forecast accompanying its record quarterly profits prompted pessimism over the tech giant's slowing growth trajectory.

Apple on Wednesday announced a profit of $13.1 billion on revenue of $54.5 billion in the fiscal quarter that ended on December 29, with sales of iPhones and iPads setting quarterly highs.

But despite those figures, investors soured on Apple after it forecast that revenue for the current quarter would range from $41-43 billion and that it would have a gross margin of 37.5 to 39.5 percent.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.