Apple Shares Set New All-Time High of $459.88, Keeping Most-Valuable Crown

Shares of Apple, the world's most valuable company, set another record high of $459.88 on Friday, valuing the company at $428.6 billion. The shares closed at a record $459.68, up $4.56 or 1 percent.

The record was only the latest since the Cupertino, Calif.-based electronics and entertainment company reported blowout first-quarter results on Jan. 24 on record sales of iPads, iPhone 4S units, iPods, Macs and entertainment services.

Apple said first-quarter net income more than doubled to $13.06 billion, or $13.87 a share, far above estimates of $9.95 a share. Revenue soared 73 percent to a record $46.3 billion, far above estimates as well.

Since then, Apple shares have soared, setting new daily record closes on Friday, as well as on Jan. 25, Jan. 27, Jan. 30 and Jan. 31. The shares have gained 7.5 percent since the earnings report.

Meanwhile, shares of ExxonMobil have declined from their January peak, valuing the No. 1 U.S. energy company at $402 billion. Shares of the Irving, Tex.-based oil and gas company closed at $84.92, up $1.39.