Google-owner Alphabet vaults past Apple as most valuable firm

Google-parent Alphabet snatched Apple's crown as the world's most valuable firm based on the value of shares that leapt with better-than-expected earnings. At the official close of trade, Alphabet was worth $530.1 billion based on its share value, compared to $534.7 billion for Apple, but shares in the Internet search colossus soared in after-hours trading to reach $791 shortly before 0400 GMT. If those gains hold in official trading when the Nasdaq opens in New York City on Tuesday, Alphabet wo