the gap between themAAPL ahead by $6,195
AAPL solid · MSFT dashed · weekly closes, dividends reinvested
Even at 2 each. The difference is in the details below.
- Grew more over five yearsAAPL +137% · MSFT +75%
AAPL
- Fell less at its worstAAPL −27% · MSFT −35%
- Calmer rideAAPL 28% vol · MSFT 27% vol
MSFT
- Pays more incomeAAPL 0.32% · MSFT 0.79%
loosely linked · correlation 0.40
Side by side, line by line
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | $338.98 | $501.61 |
| Market value | $4.95T | $3.72T |
| 1-year return | +33.2% (ahead) | −1.1% |
| 3-year return, a year | +25.3% (ahead) | +17.4% |
| 5-year return, a year | +18.8% (ahead) | +11.8% |
| Volatility, a year | 28% | 27% (ahead) |
| Worst drawdown | −27% (ahead) | −35% |
| Worst week | −13.5%Mar 2025 | −7.7% (ahead)Jan 2026 |
| Beta | 1.08 | 1.11 |
| P/E ratio | 38.9× | 27.9× |
| Dividend yield | 0.32% | 0.79% |
Do AAPL and MSFT move together?
Correlation compares AAPL’s and MSFT’s weekly returns from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Two holdings near +1 fall on the same weeks, so owning both doesn’t cushion anything. Your portfolio has more than two lines, and Portfolio Terminal runs this check across every pair you hold.
How far each one fell
AAPL
−27%
From its Dec 2021 high to Jan 2023. Back at that high by May 2023.
MSFT
−35%
From its Nov 2021 high to Oct 2022. Back at that high by Jun 2023.
Worst peak-to-trough fall on weekly closes · dividends reinvested
AAPL vs MSFT: what people ask
Is AAPL better than MSFT?
Over the past five years, AAPL delivered the higher return: +18.8% a year against +11.8% for MSFT, dividends reinvested. Its worst fall was also shallower (−27% against −35%). Which is better depends on the job it does in your portfolio, and past returns don’t predict future ones.
What is the difference between AAPL and MSFT?
AAPL is Apple Inc. (Consumer Electronics), worth $4.95T. MSFT is Microsoft Corporation (Software—Infrastructure), worth $3.72T.
Should I own both AAPL and MSFT?
Their weekly returns had a correlation of 0.40 over the past five years. They often part ways, so each can soften the other’s bad weeks. Whether that suits you depends on everything else you hold, which is the check Portfolio Terminal runs across a whole portfolio.
Which is riskier, AAPL or MSFT?
AAPL swung more: 28% annual volatility against 27% for MSFT. At their worst, AAPL fell 27% and MSFT 35% from a previous high. Against the broad market, their betas are 1.08 and 1.11.
Which pays a higher dividend, AAPL or MSFT?
MSFT currently yields 0.79%, against 0.32% for AAPL. Yields move with price, so a higher yield can also mean a falling price.
Compare something else
Any two stocks or ETFs. Keep AAPL or swap both.
Returns use weekly closes adjusted for dividends and splits, from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Quotes, fees and holdings come from public market data and refresh hourly. This page describes what happened; it is not investment advice, and past performance doesn’t predict future returns.