Being the global leader in technology and innovation, Apple Inc. has always set benchmarks for what a mega-cap company can achieve. More than $3 trillion is its market capitalisation. Therefore, it is not just the most valuable publicly traded company but also the cornerstone of a lot of investors' portfolios.

Apple took home $81.8 billion in the second quarter of 2023 through solid sales of iPhones, Macs, and iPads as well as the growing services business. Services—Apple Music, iCloud, and the App Store, among others—bring an all-time revenue high of $21.2 billion. Cash flows are still good, allowing heavy investments in research and development as well as returning value to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

This focus on building out its ecosystem of devices and services will place the company in the long-term investment category. The entry into AR and AI technology, along with a focus on sustainability, will showcase the company's ability to be resilient and adapt to changing market conditions. New subscription-based services, including Apple Fitness+ and Apple TV+, bring recurring cash flow and stability in uncertain economic times.

Meta Platforms was the former Facebook, now being considered the leader in social media and digital advertising. Being one of the biggest technology companies in the world with a market capitalisation of over $800 billion, its flagship offerings include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, connecting billions of people from all walks of life making it at the leading edge of the digital economy.

Meta recorded revenue of $32 billion in the second quarter of 2023, a rise of 12% year-over-year due to high demand for ads. The operating income at $9.39 billion translates to the ability to operate on cost management, despite increasing ad spend. Even with regulatory pressures and enhanced competition, Meta’s wealth endures, with such success attributed to innovation capability that captures advertising dollars.

Overall, the metaverse would be a great growth opportunity for Meta. The company has already invested billions in building out the metaverse ecosystem across the globe through Oculus VR and Horizon Worlds technologies. Further improvements being made in AI-powered advertising tools are also enhancing ad performance and hence boosting greater value for business customers.

This is a holding company led by the great investor Warren Buffett, an icon of solidity and long-term performance in the stock market with market capitalisation above $700 billion. Berkshire Hathaway is an investment group holding interest in known worldwide enterprises like Apple, Coca-Cola, and American Express, among others, and fully owned subsidiaries: Geico, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, among others.

Berkshire Hathaway reported $10 billion in operating earnings in the second quarter of 2023, which represented an increase of 7% from last year. This was largely due to its insurance businesses, which are headed by Geico. The underwriting profits were $1.25 billion. Its enormous equity portfolio also performed well, with assets over $350 billion and continues to generate consistent earnings by purchasing high-quality stocks that have good fundamentals.

The group is unique because it can perform well in either a rising or falling market. The group diversifies holdings and provides investors with broad exposure to a wide variety of industries—from energy and transportation to financial services and consumer goods. In addition, the company benefits from strong cash reserves, which Warren Buffett and his team utilise tactically to purchase underpriced assets during down markets. This disciplined strategy allows for long-term growth expectations and resiliency.