Microsoft just overtook Exxon Mobil

We told you it was about to happen.

And it has. Microsoft’s market capitalization just leap-frogged that of the energy giant Exxon Mobil, in what amounts to a remarkable shift in sentiment regarding two blue chip US corporations. At last glance, Microsoft’s market capitalization was above $406 billion, more than Exxon Mobil’s roughly $400 billion.

Exxon’s current downward trajectory is no mystery: It’s tied to slumping oil prices. Microsoft’s surging shares are more surprising. After all, the stock had meandered for more than a decade under the leadership of Steve Ballmer, who announced his retirement in August 2013. He was replaced as CEO by Satya Nadella in February.

Of course, this is a fight for distant second place, as Apple’s more than $650 billion market capitalization—it hit a new record today—makes it the highest valued company (pdf) in the world, and puts it a cool $250 billion ahead of both Exxon Mobil and Microsoft.