Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

Apple's post-earnings surge pushed its market cap past that of the entire US energy sector, Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts wrote Thursday.

The tech giant closed Thursday with a $1.17 trillion market cap, while the S&P 500 Energy index's market cap dropped to a cumulative $1.13 trillion.

The analysts project Apple to continue its post-earnings surge and post an 82.6% gain through 2019. Apple stock is up 66.5% year-to-date.

Watch Apple trade live here.

Apple's post-earnings surge values the company at more than the entire US energy sector, Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts wrote in a Thursday note.

The tech giant closed Thursday with a $1.17 trillion market cap, maintaining its position as the world's most valuable public company. The S&P 500 Energy index closed with a $1.13 trillion market cap, dragged lower by ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips.

The iPhone maker's stock surged after impressing investors with its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings. Apple topped Wall Street's estimates for both revenue and profits as its wearable products and online services offset slowing iPhone sales.

The company is up about 8% since the October 30 report and posted a record-high close Wednesday.

Despite Apple's strong momentum through 2019, BAML analysts said it still had room to grow. The tech giant is "on course for 82.6% gain" for the year, the team led by the firm's chief investment strategist, Michael Hartnett, wrote. Apple shares are up about 66.5% year-to-date.

The analysts also highlighted a euro-denominated green bond Apple priced November 7. The company issued 2 billion euros worth of six- and 12-year bonds, with the shorter-period debt featuring a 0% coupon. Coupon rates describe the rate of interest a bond pays annually, while a bond's yield is the rate of return it generates for a holder.

The debt offering's proceeds will be used to develop energy-efficient products and cut carbon emissions in the company's supply chain, Apple said in a statement.

The company traded at $263.87 at 9:05 a.m. ET Friday, up roughly 0.47% from Thursday's close.

Apple has 27 "buy" ratings, 14 "hold" ratings, and seven "sell" ratings from analysts, with a consensus price target of $255.83, according to Bloomberg data.

Now read more markets coverage from Markets Insider and Business Insider:

One service allows investors to buy and sell shares of classic cars. These are the 10 best-performing car 'stocks' on Rally.

Charles Schwab saw trading accounts surge 31% in one month after dropping commission fees

Adtech company IgnitionOne lays off staff while facing an allegation of unpaid bills

Markets Insider

NOW WATCH: A big-money investor in juggernauts like Facebook and Netflix breaks down the '3rd wave' firms that are leading the next round of tech disruption