Apple Company Profile (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Apple trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "AAPL."

Apple announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, May 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share on Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.64%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 11th. This is a boost from Apple's previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. View Apple's Dividend History.

Shares of Apple split on Monday, June 9th 2014. The 7-1 split was announced on Wednesday, April 23rd 2014. The newly minted shares were payable to shareholders after the closing bell on Friday, June 6th 2014. An investor that had 100 shares of Apple stock prior to the split would have 700 shares after the split.

Apple announced that its board has approved a share buyback program on Sunday, June 4th 2017, which permits the company to repurchase $50,000,000,000.00 in outstanding shares, according to EventVestor. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 6.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually a sign that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May, 2nd. The company reported $2.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.02 by $0.08. The firm earned $52.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $52.61 billion. Apple had a net margin of 20.74% and a return on equity of 35.09%. View Apple's Earnings History.

Apple is scheduled to release their next quarterly earnings announcement on Tuesday, August, 1st 2017. View Earnings Estimates for Apple.

49 brokers have issued 12-month price targets for Apple's shares. Their forecasts range from $96.42 to $202.00. On average, they anticipate Apple's share price to reach $159.47 in the next year. View Analyst Ratings for Apple.

Here are some recent quotes from research analysts about Apple stock:

• 1. Maxim Group analysts commented, "A brief history on the success of our data driven approach to covering AAPL and the data that fortifies our view that AAPL is an attractive holding." (6/19/2017)
• 2. Mizuho analysts commented, "The Mad Dash" segment on Monday."This is a statement downgrade, which means you have never heard of me, but today you have," Cramer said. "And you know what I say? It was down on Friday — give me a break."Cramer further took issue with a Sunday downgrade, which is adding panic to the Street. The CNBC host also questioned the analyst's thesis, which is based on a "strong" iPhone 8 cycle and an uncommon bearish view on services."A Sunday downgrade, everyone is talking about it," Cramer joked. "I think Crosby was talking about it. When he had the Stanley Cup he said, 'Did you hear they downgraded Apple at Mizuho?'" (6/12/2017)
• 3. According to Zacks Investment Research, "Apple’s revenues have got a boost due to increase in iPhone demand caused by the launch of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Also, “Services” revenues, which include App store, Apple Music and Apple Pay have been growing with App store sales in December alone topping $3 billion. Going ahead, management expects to double the revenues from this segment in the next four years. Plus, the buzz surrounding iPhone 8, which is already labeled a super cycle should allay investors fear about iPhone sales trajectory. Meanwhile, Apple remains focused on increasing its market share in India. Over the past one year, shares of Apple have outperformed the broader market. However, macroeconomic headwinds in some key regions, most importantly in China along with increasing competition remain a concern. Estimates have remained stable ahead of the upcoming earnings release. " (4/24/2017)
• 4. UBS AG analysts commented, "Supercycle" phase.The upcoming "Sustainable Growth" phase.The "Innovation phase."First, the current "Supercycle" phase consists of debating the iPhone growth through the fiscal 2018 and 2019 period. Over the next nine months, the shift toward the "Sustainable Growth" occurs where investors will explore if the company can maintain and monetize its installed base and generate annuity-like growth. The "Innovation Phase" will start in fiscal 2019 whereby investors will examine Apple's positioning for the next wave of technology.Supercycle PhaseAccording to Milunovich, the "Supercycle" phase started in 2016 but the key debate will surround the iPhone 8's performance in fiscal 2018.Meanwhile, Apple's valuation improved during the cycle from a low of 10x forward P/E in early 2016 to today's 15x multiple. Since Apple's stock typically prices in earnings revisions 12 months ahead, it is possible that a strong fiscal 2018 performance is priced into the stock today.Sustainable GrowthMoving on to the "Sustainable Growth" phase, Apple's stock could be valued as low as 13x (amid concerns over the hardware business, no signs of innovation, slowdown of other products) and as high as 16x (sustainable growth in hardware, installed base-centric view of Apple, other products gaining traction).Innovation PhaseIf Apple remains quiet on new product lines, then investors would rightfully "fret about the sustainability" of the hardware business. This could drive Apple's stock multiple to 11–13x. On the other hand, if investors see a "large new wave to ride" then Apple's multiple could move as high as 17x.Path To $200 Per ShareThe analyst's most likely outcome assumes Apple's stock will trade at around $175 per share within two to three years. This is based on a 12 percent iPhone unit growth in fiscal 2018 and 7 percent in fiscal 2019.Apple's stock multiple will move slightly lower to 14x, which is still a premium to historic levels but below today's level.A more optimistic model derives a $200 valuation by fiscal 2019. The analyst is assuming Apple will show strong growth in its "other hardware" (3/28/2017)
• 5. Needham & Company LLC analysts commented, "When we put a $150 target price on AAPL last March, some said we were crazy. Now AAPL is within 6% of our target price, and we raise our FY18 estimates and Target Price to $165, and lower our rating from Strong Buy to Buy. AAPL remains our top stock pick owing to RAPID: a) Recurring revenue streams imply higher earnings growth and valuations; b) Arms dealer in a rising tide; c) Pure play on strong mobile growth; d) Inexpensive, especially because it has higher profit margins than DIS and CBS and higher asset efficiency than FB and EXPE, but much lower valuations; and e) Downside protection from its 'sequel' strategy, excess cash, dividends and share repurchases. AAPL's GAAP FY18E P/E is 13.9x, which ignores AAPL's excess cash. Adjusting for AAPL's excess cash, its P/E is 11.6-12.8x (depending on tax rate)." (3/24/2017)

Apple saw a decrease in short interest in July. As of July 14th, there was short interest totalling 39,149,942 shares, a decrease of 6.5% from the June 30th total of 41,880,922 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 21,153,921 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.9 days. Approximately 0.8% of the company's shares are short sold.

Some companies that are related to Apple include HP (HPQ), Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE), Seagate Technology PLC (STX), Logitech International S.A. (LOGI), Electronics for Imaging (EFII), Synaptics Incorporated (SYNA), Knowles Corporation (KN), ScanSource (SCSC), PC Connection (CNXN), Xaar plc (XAR), Quantum Corporation (QTM), Focusrite PLC (TUNE), RadiSys Corporation (RSYS), Key Tronic Corporation (KTCC), Digital River (DRIV), Domino Printing Sciences Plc (DNO), EMC (EMC) and Fusion-IO (FIO).

Apple's management team includes the folowing people:

• Art D. Levinson Ph.D., Independent Chairman of the Board
• Timothy D. Cook, Chief Executive Officer, Director
• Luca Maestri, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Principal Accounting Officer
• Jeff Williams, Chief Operating Officer
• Durward Bruce Sewell, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary
• Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President - Worldwide Marketing
• Angela J. Ahrendts, Senior Vice President - Retail and Online Stores
• Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President - Internet Software and Services
• Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President - Software Engineering
• Daniel J. Riccio Jr, Senior Vice President - Hardware Engineering

Apple's stock is owned by a variety of of retail and institutional investors. Top institutional shareholders include Fisher Asset Management LLC (0.20%), Swedbank (0.16%), APG Asset Management N.V. (0.16%), Chevy Chase Trust Holdings Inc. (0.10%), Strs Ohio (0.08%) and National Pension Service (0.08%). Company insiders that own Apple stock include Albert Gore Jr, Angela J Ahrendts, Arthur D Levinson, Chris Kondo, Craig Federighi, D Bruce Sewell, Daniel J Riccio, Eduardo H Cue, Jeffrey E Williams, Johny Srouji, Luca Maestri, Philip W Schiller and Timothy D Cook. View Institutional Ownership Trends for Apple.

Apple's stock was sold by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including Manning & Napier Advisors LLC, Fisher Asset Management LLC, APG Asset Management N.V., State Treasurer State of Michigan, NN Investment Partners Holdings N.V., DnB Asset Management AS, KAMES CAPITAL plc and Swedbank. Company insiders that have sold Apple stock in the last year include Albert Gore Jr, Angela J Ahrendts, Arthur D Levinson, Chris Kondo, Craig Federighi, D Bruce Sewell, Daniel J Riccio, Eduardo H Cue, Jeffrey E Williams, Johny Srouji, Luca Maestri, Philip W Schiller and Timothy D Cook. View Insider Buying and Selling for Apple.

Apple's stock was bought by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V., National Pension Service, Aperio Group LLC, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund, Meag Munich Ergo Kapitalanlagegesellschaft MBH, First Quadrant L P CA, Cullinan Associates Inc. and James Investment Research Inc.. View Insider Buying and Selling for Apple.

Shares of Apple can be purchased through any online brokerage account. Popular online brokerages include Vanguard Brokerage Services, TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, Scottrade, Fidelity and Charles Schwab.

One share of Apple stock can currently be purchased for approximately $153.46.