Locator: 51791AAPL.
Earlier today a reader sent a note regarding Apple's dividend. Tonight, coincidentally, Jim Cramer did a full show on a retrospective review of Apple starting with a re-airing of an interview with Tim Cook back in 2016. "Every" topic was covered in that full hour.
The interview reminded me of Apple's stock buyback program. John Turnes has his hands full to do what Tim Cook did.
Quick: name the CEO of Apple's #1 competitor.
Query: in addition to its dividend, does Apple (AAPL) still have one of the most aggressive stock buyback programs of any established company?
Reply: read, re-read, and re-read that first line -- yes, Apple still runs the largest and most aggressive stock buyback program of any public company in history. In history. In history. That would be even bigger than what Warren Buffett has done -- and BRK pays no dividend.
Tim Cook's buyback program was so big, any number of analysts over the years accused Tim Cook of manipulating the price of AAPL stock by tweaking his buyback program.
The most influential business men right now are President Trump, Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk. Add Tim Cook to that group.
Quick: name the CEO of Apple's #1 competitor.
I did not follow up with any additional queries. Tim Cook and I are on the same page.
That full hour should be required viewing by all business schools and all investors.
Apple is an n of one. Period. Dot. Full stop.
With regard to services and derivatives from that, hat is the current installed base of Apple's products. I believe not long ago it was 2 billion; then 2.5 billion. Any update?
And we haven't even touched on Apple's "Edge" model. Unique among its peers / competitors.
Back in 2019, Tim Cook talked at length about why folks don't upgrade. Tim Cook was not concerned. It was a very, very, very long conversation but one could see the seeds of a subscription service that Tim Cook introduced. Now, seven years ago, it appears that Apple is taking the "subscription service" and placing it on steroids.
I know where he needs to go next. LOL.
I'll give you a hint: folks not upgrading because of the cost. They're not upgrading for myriad number of reasons. Apple will gradually address each of those reasons, but it takes time.