NEW YORK — Apple has surpassed Exxon Mobil as the most valuable company in the U.S.

Apple Inc.'s stock gained 3.2 percent to $364.60 on Tuesday afternoon, bringing the iPhone and iPad maker's market capitalization to about $338.0 billion Exxon Mobil Corp. shares, meanwhile, were trading at $69.45,
down nearly 1 percent. That gives the oil company a market cap of $337.7 billion.

Other big-name corporations, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. andGeneral Electric Co., don't even come close.

Apple has been on a roll with the soaring popularity of its iPad tablet computer and strong sales of the iPhone. Investors expect Apple to grow as long as it keeps making products that people want.

Exxon has limited growth prospects. Its growth is driven by fluctuating oil prices and discovering new oil.