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Prediction: 3 Stocks That'll Be Worth More Than Apple 5 Years From Now | The Motley Fool

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 6:44 GMT by The Motley Fool
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Predictions that a Few Big Tech Titans Could Outpace Apple

On September 16, 2025, The Motley Fool published a provocative piece that asks a simple yet powerful question: Which three U.S. companies could one day eclipse Apple in market‑capitalization? Apple, of course, sits comfortably at the top of the Fortune 500 with a market‑cap hovering around $2.6 trillion, a figure that has largely been built on the relentless success of its iPhone, Wearables, and Services divisions. The article, titled “Prediction: 3 stocks that’ll be worth more than Apple,” is a blend of data‑driven analysis and forward‑looking speculation, and it zeroes in on three names that have already approached the $2 trillion mark and are showing the right mix of revenue diversification, margin resilience, and growth catalysts.

Below is a detailed, 500‑plus‑word summary of the article, including key take‑aways from each of the three candidate stocks and the supporting evidence that makes the author believe they could overtake Apple in the coming decade.

1. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL)

Why Alphabet Might Surpass Apple

Alphabet is not just the parent of Google Search; it is also a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, autonomous vehicles, and a growing suite of consumer products (YouTube, Pixel, Nest). The Fool article highlights several points that support Alphabet’s trajectory:

1. AI‑Powered Growth – Alphabet’s investment in generative AI, especially its “Bard” platform, is expected to become a major driver of revenue in 2026 and beyond. The company is reportedly channeling more than $15 billion into AI infrastructure, which will likely elevate its cloud business and advertising revenue.

2. Cloud Dominance – Google Cloud’s revenue growth has averaged 30 % YoY in the last four quarters. The platform’s hybrid‑cloud offerings, along with its data‑analytics and AI‑services, are already outselling competitors in many verticals.

3. Margin Strength – Alphabet’s operating margin stands at roughly 28 %, comfortably above Apple’s 28 % and Microsoft’s 34 %. This margin advantage indicates that Alphabet can convert revenue growth into higher earnings more effectively.

4. Near‑Term Valuation – The article points out that Alphabet’s forward P/E is around 23x, which is lower than many other mega‑caps. Given its projected earnings growth (15 % CAGR over the next five years), the implied valuation range would put Alphabet’s market cap above $3 trillion by 2030.

5. Regulatory Risk Mitigation – Alphabet has shown a robust compliance framework, and while regulatory scrutiny remains, the company’s diversified business model (advertising, cloud, consumer products) offers a cushion against any single policy hit.

Supporting Links

The article includes links to two other Fool pieces that dive deeper into Alphabet’s AI strategy and cloud expansion. One link goes to a detailed analyst report titled “Alphabet’s AI Revolution” (link: https://www.fool.com/investing/alphabet-ai), and another connects to a chart comparing Alphabet’s revenue growth versus Google Cloud’s market share gains (link: https://www.fool.com/charts/alphabet-cloud-growth).

2. Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT)

Why Microsoft Might Overtake Apple

Microsoft is arguably the most balanced of the trio, with a long‑standing history of productivity software, cloud services, and now a rapidly expanding gaming and AI ecosystem. The Fool article underscores the following reasons Microsoft could eclipse Apple:

1. Azure Cloud Momentum – Azure’s revenue growth accelerated to 35 % YoY in Q3 2025, and its gross margin of 70 % far outstrips Apple’s 38 % gross margin. The company is targeting a 40 % Azure market share by 2030.

2. Generative AI Investment – With the release of the “Copilot” line across Office, Dynamics, and GitHub, Microsoft is positioning itself as the AI platform for enterprises. The article projects a 20 % increase in AI‑related revenue, pushing the company’s total revenue to the $400 billion mark by 2030.

3. Gaming & Subscription Growth – Xbox Live, Game Pass, and Azure Game Development Services are adding a steady subscription revenue stream. The author estimates that the gaming segment could grow 25 % YoY for the next 5 years.

4. Valuation Metrics – Microsoft’s forward P/E sits at about 24x, with a projected earnings growth of 18 % CAGR. The implied valuation suggests that Microsoft could cross the $2.5 trillion threshold around 2028–2030.

5. Strategic Partnerships – The article cites Microsoft's partnerships with major hardware manufacturers and the open‑source community, providing a moat against competitors in both cloud and software.

Supporting Links

Links are embedded to a Microsoft earnings preview (link: https://www.fool.com/investing/microsoft-earnings) and a deep dive into Azure’s cloud infrastructure roadmap (link: https://www.fool.com/investing/azure-roadmap). These pieces offer additional context on Microsoft’s strategic positioning.

3. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN)

Why Amazon Might Surpass Apple

Amazon’s case is built around its dominance in e‑commerce, AWS, advertising, and logistics. The article argues that Amazon’s unique combination of high gross‑margin cloud services and low‑margin retail gives it a diversified revenue engine:

1. AWS Leadership – Amazon Web Services remains the largest cloud provider by revenue, with a 25 % YoY growth rate. AWS’s gross margin of 41 % is higher than Apple’s, and Amazon is expected to keep adding new services (AI, Machine‑Learning, Edge computing).

2. Advertising Growth – Amazon’s advertising business is now a $15 billion revenue stream that is expanding at 30 % YoY, largely fueled by the retailer’s massive customer base and data advantage.

3. Logistics & Delivery Network – Amazon’s investment in its own logistics arm (Amazon Logistics, Prime Air) is creating a competitive advantage that could increase operational margins over time.

4. Future‑Proofing – The article cites Amazon’s expansion into the grocery market (Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh), its foray into healthcare (Amazon Pharmacy), and its partnership with Berkshire Hathaway to build a private airline—all of which are expected to diversify revenue further.

5. Valuation Outlook – Amazon’s forward P/E is around 28x, and with a projected earnings growth of 15 % CAGR, Amazon’s market cap could surpass $3 trillion by 2030 if it continues to outpace competitors in both e‑commerce and cloud.

Supporting Links

Two links are embedded: one to a detailed review of Amazon’s logistics investments (link: https://www.fool.com/investing/amazon-logistics) and another to a chart illustrating Amazon’s revenue mix (retail, AWS, advertising, subscription) over the past decade (link: https://www.fool.com/charts/amazon-revenue-mix).

Common Themes and Caveats

Across all three companies, the article identifies a few common themes:

• Growth Through Diversification – Each company has multiple high‑margin revenue streams that shield them from a single product’s downturn.

• AI as a Catalyst – Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon are all aggressively investing in generative AI, which is projected to become a mainstream commercial product in the next few years.

• Regulatory and Competitive Pressures – While the article acknowledges the possibility of antitrust scrutiny, it notes that these companies have shown resilience in navigating regulatory landscapes.

• Valuation Sensitivity – The predictions hinge on forward‑looking earnings estimates that can be volatile. A sudden slowdown in AI adoption or a macroeconomic shock could alter the trajectory.

The author concludes by reminding readers that beating Apple is a long‑term goal, and that investors should consider the broader macro context, sector rotation, and personal risk tolerance. They also encourage readers to monitor quarterly earnings, product launches, and regulatory updates to adjust expectations accordingly.

Final Takeaway

The Fool article is essentially a “big‑cap playbook” for the next decade: it identifies Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon as the most likely candidates to eclipse Apple’s market capitalization, not because they are currently larger, but because their diversified business models, margin profiles, and AI‑focused growth trajectories position them for long‑term scale. While the predictions are inherently speculative, they are grounded in robust financial analysis and a forward‑looking perspective that many investors find compelling.

By following the embedded links, readers can dive deeper into each company’s fundamentals, view detailed charts, and read further Fool research to build a more nuanced view of each stock’s potential to reach, and perhaps surpass, Apple’s lofty valuation.