Apple briefly surpassed Exxon as the most valuable U.S. company after an excellent quarter, though the oil company regained the lead at the market's close Wednesday.
Apple's stock rose as much as 8 percent, while Exxon's fell as much as 2 percent during the trading day.
Exxon Mobil Corp.'s stock closed up 4 cents at $87.22 for a market capitalization of $418 billion. Apple's increased 6 percent to $446.66 for a market cap of about $415 billion.
Apple said Tuesday that net income in its latest quarter more than doubled, while revenue grew 73 percent.
Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple first topped Exxon in August, then fell back to second place. Irving, Texas-based Exxon has held the top spot since 2005.
Apple overtook Microsoft Corp., now in the No. 3 slot, in 2010.
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