I think that, for now, their $130 share gain in the last 52 weeks is more than making up for it.
They can talk dividends when their shares are near Microsoft's level and their product pipeline is less stacked and hype machine is dying.
They can talk dividends when their shares are near Microsoft's level and their product pipeline is less stacked and hype machine is dying.
Buybacks reduce the number of shares outstanding in the market and thereby increase earnings per share, which boosts the share price, rewarding existing investors. So we may see Apple engage in buybacks.
They have made it very clear that they are reserving that cash for a big acquisition. IMHO that means that they are waiting for the moment when someone innovates in a way that threatens them and they can bring the talent and assets aboard. Like the Google process, except you pay with cash.