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source:::: yahoo finance…

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For most of the people, the phrase “most valuable company” always reminds of Apple, the Cupertino tech giant who hit $623 billion valuation on August.Many referred to it as the history’s most valuable company. But it ignited a debate over why people don’t consider inflation while evaluating the companies. The fact is, if you look back into history, Apple doesn’t even make it into the top five, as there werecompanies which had hit as high as $7.4 trillion in valuation, when adjusted to inflation.

Here are history’s most valuable companies, compiled by Yahoo Finance.

#9 Exxon-Mobil in 2007
Value then: $513.3 billion
Adjusted to 2012: $572.9 billion

Exxon-Mobil, the American multinational oil and gas corporation was formed on November 30, 1999. It is still the world’s largest company by revenue. At its peak in 2007, Exxon Mobil’s reserves were 72 billion oil-equivalent barrels. With refineries in 21 countries, it is also the largest refiner in the world.

With the subsided oil prices and also the market deflections, the company now stands at a value of $401.77 billion.
#8 Apple in August 2012
Value then: $661.6 billion
Adjusted to 2012: $661.6 billion

The anticipated launch of a new iPhone, coupled with rumors of a smaller iPad and a feature-rich Apple TV had lifted Cupertino tech giant’s stocks and the valuation to $661.6 billion in August this year. The company which was valued at less than $10 billion as in 2004 and at $100 billion just three years ago grew unstoppable with its iPhone business.

The company presently has the highest market capitalization in the world. However, its stock has sunk 15 percent since September and is now valuated at $554 billion.

#7 Microsoft in 1999
Value then: $620.6 billion
Adjusted to 2012: $851 billion

Microsoft might be the one existing tech company which fell from glory to gloom in a matter of 10 years. Microsoft reigned the market from licensing deals with the computing giants especially IBM, where the company earned money for every machine they sold.

But the failure to adapt quickly into a mobile and Smartphone centric world had hurt the software giant and is now hoping for a bright future with its latest OS and debut in hardware.

The company is currently valued at $226.82 Billion.

#6 PetroChina in 2007
Value then: $1 trillion
Adjusted to 2012: $1.12 trillion

PetroChina, founded in 1999 is China’s biggest oil producer. It is the most profitable company in Asia. It entered trading following the announcement of stock issue in Shanghai in November 2007. The first-day valuations of stock fuelled by investor speculations over growth made it world’s first trillion dollar company.

However, the share values later retreated to normal levels and the company is now valuated at $233.68 Billion.

#5 IBM in 1967
Value then: $193 billion
Adjusted to 2012: $1.3 trillion

The International Business Machines Corporation, which always ran ahead of its competitors with innovations, was the first company from tech sector to mark its valuation above trillion dollars in this list. At its peak times, the company had developed deep relations with government organizations including NASA, delivering them cutting edge computing power.

Subsequently the company sold off its PC business and is now focusing more on enterprise and also technology services. It is now valuated at $216 billion.

#2 The Mississippi Company in 1720
Value then: 300 million British Pounds
Adjusted to 2012: $6 trillion

The Mississippi Company or the Company of the West was founded in 1684 to facilitate trade with the then-New World. John Law, controller of the French National Bank, was named the Chief Director of this new company, which was granted a trade monopoly of the West Indies and North America by the French government. The company’s stocks shoot up twentyfold, fuelled by the value speculations and an effective marketing scheme.

However, the “bubble” burst at the end of 1720 and the company collapsed. Law was dismissed from his positions and the company was declared bankrupt. He then fled France for Venice.

#1 The Dutch East India Company in 1637
Value then: 78 million Dutch Guilders
Adjusted to 2012: $7.4 trillion

The Dutch East India Company is considered to be the first multinational corporation in the world and the first company to issue stock. It was established as a chartered company in 1602, where it is given the monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia.

The company eclipsed all of its rivals in the Asia trade and enjoyed huge profits from its spice monopoly through most of the 17th century.

However, corruptions in the late 18th century combined with turmoil in the trade made the Company go bankrupt and was formally dissolved in 1800.