Currently, the most valuable IT vendors, measured by market capitalization are:

1. Microsoft (value $ 325.20B)
2. Google (value $224.75B)
3. Apple (value $170.00B)

In the past few days Apple’s share price rose, pushing its market cap beyond that of Cisco (value $167.81B), which was previously the third most valuable IT company. After Cisco come; Intel ($162.43B), IBM ($150.73B) and HP ($133.98B). The figures are based on today’s stock prices.

Note: I use market cap figures as an indicator of trends. In most circumstances they turn out to be a reasonably reliable projection of the what is to come. See
How The Big Boys Stack Up for a previous ranking of IT companies by market cap.

Recent news that pushed Apple’s stock price up includes reports that Apple is likely to exceed its current quarterly projection due to heavy demand for iPods and Mac computers. While sales of Apple TV are well below Apple’s expectations, the iPhone looks to be on track.

A recent survey of the US market by ChangeWave, on consumer buying intentions over the next 90 days shows a further uptick in desktop computer buying preferences. The survey indicated that 29 percent of respondents intended to buy a Mac, 24 percent intended to buy an HP PC and 31 percent intended to buy a Dell PC. Tobin Smith, of ChangeWave noted that 24 percent of respondents are drawn to the Mac because of positive impressions of Leopard and/or disappointment with Windows Vista.

In a separate survey ChangeWave also noted an increase in corporate demand for the Apple Mac, with 7% of laptops buyers and 6% of the desktop buyers planning to buy Macs. These figures are almost double figures from a ChangeWave survey taken 2 years ago.

Note: I hold no shares in Apple, fool that I am.