IBM toppless MS become second most valuable tech co in the world

IBM is now the fourth-largest company by market value and, in technology, trails only Apple, the world's most valuable company.                                                                                                                                                                                  IBM's market value rose to $214 billion on Thursday, while Microsoft's fell to $213.2 billion, the first time IBM has exceeded its software rival based on closing prices since 1996, according to Bloomberg data. IBM is now the fourth-largest company by market value and, in technology, trails only Apple, the world's most valuable company. 
                                                    IBM, based in Armonk, New York, has gained 22% this year, while Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, has dropped 8.8%. IBM rose $1.62 to $179.17 on Thursday in New York Stock Exchange composite trading, and Microsoft fell 13 cents to $25.45 in NASDAQ Stock Market trading.