Nvidia's stock value has rapidly increased this year due to soaring demand for its semiconductors, which are used to power artificial intelligence applications. The company's revenue more than tripled in the latest quarter from the same period a year earlier. Nvidia's journey to become a prominent player in AI has produced eye-popping numbers, with its total market value reaching $3.3 trillion, surpassing Microsoft and Apple. The company has also seen a boost from its successful growth investments and CEO Jensen Huang's leadership.
Eli Lilly's recent $5.3 billion investment in their Indiana manufacturing plant will significantly enhance the company's production capabilities for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) used in their Zepbound and Mounjaro treatments4. This investment, which more than doubles their initial commitment to the site, is expected to increase Lilly's capacity to meet growing demand for these medicines, particularly for adults with chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes. The expansion will also create hundreds of new jobs in the area, further supporting the local economy.
The strong performances of megacap stocks like Microsoft and Apple have significantly influenced their positions in terms of market capitalization within the S&P 500. As of 2024, Microsoft and Apple maintained their positions at the top of the S&P 500, with market capitalizations of $2.79 trillion and $2.99 trillion, respectively. These companies have consistently grown their revenues and profits at a faster-than-expected pace, resulting in huge gains in their share prices and rising valuations. Their dominance has contributed to a more concentrated market, with the top 10 stocks in the S&P 500 Growth Index having a weighting of more than 60%.