Would Apple's $90G buyback be better spent on changing its supply chain?

"Just last week, Apple expanded its share buyback program by another $90 billion and increased its dividend. The company was asked on its earnings call if it will ever make a major acquisition—rather than continue to give money back to shareholders. Cook said the company is always on the lookout for a big deal. But perhaps those billions would be better spent on creating a new, much more global final assembly chain—and even a stronger push toward automated manufacturing."

Apple, one imagines, stays China-focused in their supply chain because they they're staying China-focused in their growth strategy. But the havoc wreaked upon supply chains and markets both by the invasion of Ukraine is a reminder of the reality of geopolitical risk and the danger of assuming any region is at the end of history. Hard to argue with Gurman that Apple is rich enough to buy themselves some insurance here.

Buybacks and dividends are always a good idea.

Companies should always do them, it puts the ball back into shareholders court. If Apple ever needs to shore up its supply chain they can do an equity raise by issuing stock, then shareholders can decide if they want to partake in it or not.

Shareholders should receive their capital back at regular intervals because the CEO can ask it back again.