Hot on the heels of an announced release date (Saturday, April 3) for the iPad, Apple’s stock has hit a record high of US$219.70, besting a previous high of $215.59, which it hit on Jan. 5 of this year.

Before today, Apple has been trading in a range between $190 and $215 since last October. Apple’s market cap is approaching $200 billion (it’s $199.17 billion).