Ballmer

Microsoft's market value is back in front of Apple's this morning as the software giant's stock is up more than five percent, giving it a value of $230 billion. (Apple's market cap now stands at $228 billion). But the psychological damage of Apple surpassing Microsoft -- even if for just one day -- is still resonating.

Asked about Apple's rise to power by reporters in India, Steve Ballmer pointed out Microsoft's strong profit margins and noted that "it is a long game."

"Let's see what happens as I am still pleased that 94 times out of a 100 somebody picks a Windows PC," Ballmer said, according to a report from AFP.

At least one influential stock analyst is bullish on Microsoft. Sarah Friar of Goldman Sachs issued a research note this morning, saying that the sell off of Microsoft's shares on Wednesday was unwarranted. Friar said that Microsoft's valuation was "compelling" and placed a $38 price target on the stock. "Given significant underperformance and attractive valuation levels, we are buyers of the shares," the note said.

Meanwhile, The New York Times has compiled a fascinating interactive chart which shows the stock prices of the two companies over the past 20 years and key milestones that have occurred for each along the way.

And there's even more news on the Apple-Microsoft front this morning, with rumors swirling that Ballmer could make a surprise appearance at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. Word is that Ballmer -- or another high-ranking exec -- plans to speak about Microsoft's Visual Studio 2010.