Four of the largest companies in the world have hit new all-time highs in recent weeks with Apple Inc AAPL, Microsoft Corporation MSFT, Meta Platforms META and Alphabet Inc GOOGGOOGL helping power the S&P 500 Index to new all-time highs.
A Benzinga poll sizes up the four technology stocks to see which investors think is the better buy right now.
What Happened: Large technology stocks and members of the Magnificent 7 continue to outperform the overall market, hitting new highs and seeing their weighting in the S&P 500 hit historic highs.
Here’s a look at the one-year and year-to-date performance of the four stocks mentioned above:
- Apple: 1-Year: +23.0%, YTD: +20.5%
- Microsoft: 1-Year: +39.4%, YTD: +23.0%
- Meta Platforms: 1-Year: +82.5%, YTD: +51.7%
- Alphabet: 1-Year: +64.3%, YTD: +36.2%
Compare that to the S&P 500, as tracked by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY, which is up 27.2% in the last year and up 17.6% year-to-date in 2024.
Given the new all-time highs hit by these well-known stocks, Benzinga recently asked readers to pick which one of the four they think would outperform.
“Apple, Microsoft, Meta and Google stocks hit 52-week highs, which would you buy right now?” Benzinga asked.
Here are the results:
- Apple: 29%
- Microsoft: 32%
- Meta: 16%
- Google: 23%
Microsoft edged out Apple for the victory in the poll, with Google and Meta trailing in third and fourth place, respectively. No stock received over a third or more of the vote, showing a close battle between the four stocks.
Read Also: Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Google Stocks Hit 52-Week Highs: Which Is The Best Investment?
Why It’s Important: Along with voting, readers were asked to give their reasoning why they made their selection and picked one stock over the other three.
For the winner Microsoft, readers pointed to the company’s “clearer path to growth with AI and cloud.” Several comments mentioned artificial intelligence or AI in their choice of Microsoft. Other readers highlighted Microsoft’s stock value and long-term price growth. Another reader said Microsoft could have the strongest return on investment of the four companies.
Apple received comments about its strong brand loyalty and loyal customers. The company’s AI potential was also given as a reason as Apple looks to its next growth phase.
Readers who picked Alphabet pointed to the company’s low price-to-earnings ratio and better valuation than the other stocks. The stock also got supportive comments about the vast number of projects Google is involved in and “working on countless future products.”
For Meta, readers who selected the stock said the company looks inexpensive based on growth and earnings. Another user said they picked Meta after being familiar with the company and its products. Another reader who already owns the other three stocks said they would pick Meta to create a new position instead of adding to their existing investments.
The four companies are currently among the largest holdings in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF SPY with Microsoft and Apple the two largest components at 7.3% and 7.0% respectively. Alphabet ranks fourth at 4.4% for both classes of its stock combined, and Meta is sixth at 2.5%.
Investors can also get increased exposure to the four stocks with the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF MAGS, which invests in the Magnificent 7 stocks.
The study was conducted by Benzinga on July 8 and July 9 and included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 104 adults.
Read Next:
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.