Apple is now the most valuable company in the world.

While most companies have been getting trashed in the stock market, Apple remains stable: in fact, it’s now ranked as the most valuable company in the whole wide world.  According to analysts, Apple’s market valuation reached $341.55 billion today, while the previous most valuable company, ExxonMobil, now ranks #2, currently valued at $341.42 billion.  This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Back in 2008, when markets were in turmoil, Apple took much less of a hit than other companies, including financial institutions.  The same strength was maintained throughout the recession, when while most companies of its size were shedding jobs and scaling back their investments, Apple was able to reach record earnings several times.  How important is this new figure?  There’s the possibility that just this number might cause a new wave of investment in the company, which should substantially drive up its stock price.  Before the 2008 market dip, Apple’s stock was valued at just under $180, yet it’s currently valued at over twice that amount, at nearly $366.  As we head towards a possible second dip, could Apple be one of the only safe investments?