Google shares hit a new high with a market capitalization of $169 billion, surpassing IBM in the top 25

Google shares rose $7.29 to $541.63 on Thursday, another 52-week high for the stock. In addition, Google rival Microsoft's current market value of $287 billion, leading Google by a large margin, but some analysts believe that Google's market value is expected to exceed $500 billion in five years, surpassing Microsoft.

An empire is being built...