Apple Financial Analysis

Refer to the financial reports of Apple, Inc. for the year ended September 25, 2010

First, Apple introduced a new OS in 2001. Second, Apple shifted to Intel chips and by the following year all Macintosh line ran on Intel making laptops run faster for less power. The third strategy was the development of proprietary set of applications. The fourth strategy in becoming the “digital hub” was to come up with a new distribution strategy: the Apple retail store, where customers can have a direct use and experience of Apple’s product and software.

This paper introduces six economic indicators that affect Apple Inc. and how they form part of the firm strategic plans and goals for the future of the firm. A definition this paper provides a definition of each economic indicator along with an explanation of how they affect the company’s domestic operations. In addition, the paper offers suggestions as of what the strategic response for each indicator should be.

We chose to research Apple Incorporated, one of the most innovative companies of our generation. It is safe to say that nearly every one in the US and many foreign countries have used or at least heard of Apple products. We will be looking at the macroeconomic variables that impact Apple’s business as well as how the current developments in the industry have impacted Apple’s financials and we will also look at how Apple competes with other firms in the same industry.

The financial analysis expressed in this paper shows a comparison of two large firms in the communication and technology industry. Microsoft and Apple Inc. both deal in telecommunication gadgets and accessories within the United States and around the world. The paper focuses on the financial comparison of the two companies for two fiscal years of the year 2014 and 2015. A close analysis of the financial ratios is employed in bringing up the comparison. These rates are derived from the balance sheet and statement of income of both firms.

Our analysis of Apple Inc. will incorporate the general overview of the company and how it records it revenues. We will observe how they make an honest effort to be within compliance of all accounting standards according to the Financial Accounting Standards Board for recording and disclosure of its income. Apple’s leading competitor, Google Inc., will also be examined to see whether they are comparable to Apple and still within compliance of the Securities and Exchange Commission and FASB for revenue recognition. Apple takes on design, development and marketing of personal computers, portable digital music players, and media devices that exceed the reach of everyday needs. The company also

Apple had nearly $137 billion of cash at the end of Dec 2012. Over the past few years, the Company had been highly successful with the launch of the iPhone 3G in 2008, and which was followed by the launch of iPad in 2010. The Company enjoyed high profitability, and was able to keep its costs at a minimum. The gross margin on the iPhone was between 49% and 58% from October 2010 to March 2012, and the gross margin on the iPad was between 23% and 32% in the same time period. Apple’s capital structure included no debt; hence, there was no outflow of cash for making interest payments.

Refer to the financial reports of Apple, Inc. for the year ended September 25, 2010

Established in 1976, Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II and the Macintosh. Today, Apple designs, manufactures and markets personal computers, portable digital music players and mobile communication devices as well as related software, services, peripherals and network solutions. Apple sells its products worldwide through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales forces and third party distributors to its core customers—consumers,

Apple Computer redefined the portable digital music player market with its launch of the iPod digital music player. This began in January of 2001, when it introduced its jukebox software called iTunes. This software enabled Macintosh users to import songs from audio CD's converting them to MP3 format and storing them on the computer's hard drive. It later launched the iPod digital music player in October of 2001. The iPod was designed to synch to songs and playlists from iTunes via a Firewire cable connection. Once music was downloaded, the iPod provided for 10 hours of continuous play from its rechargeable lithium-polymer battery. Media is stored on iPod's internal hard disk (Day, 2005).

This report was done within Strategic Management course it consists on choosing a well known company that the public in general is familiar with and using the Hambrick/Fredrickson five element model describes how the strategy of a company can be seen. For this analysis I chose Apple Inc. because I think that it meets the requirements. Concluding the report, there is a summary where the soundness and successfulness of the company are evaluated.

Introduction The intention of presenting this report is to give a full strategic appraisal and evaluation of Apple Inc. In 1976, the company was founded in a garage in Santa Clara, California. The American multinational corporation mainly involves in designing and marketing consumer electronics, computer software and as well as personal computers. Differentiation is the current strategy position of Apple Inc. There are five main firms in the PC industry and among them; the world’s leading brand is Dell. Apple’s major target is to sustain their present strategic position and to take over the market position as a leader. The key stakeholders include Steve Jobs, employees, lenders and the government.

The largest storage capacity for an iPod was 160 gigabytes as of March 2010. Users of the iPods use iTunes to hold their digital files and transfer those files to their iPods. iTunes was released on January 9, 2001 (Apple Inc., 2001). You can also connect to the iTunes Store via the Internet to purchase and download music, music videos, television shoes, iPod games, audiobooks, podcasts, movies, and ringtones. According to Steve Jobs (2010), “iTunes is pretty remarkable. People have downloaded 11.7b songs from iTunes. Over 450m TV episodes. 100m movies, 35m books.160m accounts with credit cards and 1-click. It's the number one online media store in the world." (Engadget, 2010). Steve Jobs announced the release of the iPad on January 27, 2010 at a press conference in San Francisco (Apple Inc., 2010). The iPad is a revolutionary device that can be use to browse the web, reading and sending e-mails, looking at photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, and reading e-books just to name a few of the capabilities (Apple Inc., 2010). Once the iPad was released in April 2010 it sold 3 million devices in 80 days in the US (Apple Inc., 2010)

Throughout the past year, Apple stock has had an astounding growth of 45% over the past twelve months, as well as a 10% growth of dividends by 10%. This increase in dividend is expected to increase by 7.43% over the next 12 months. Along with stock price and dividends, earnings per share is also expected to rise. Earnings per share is expected to rise from the current amount of $1.88 to as high as $10.74 per share. Apple’s marketing strategy is designed to keep stock prices high and shareholders happy. This growth in Apple stock is expected to continue to rise with a median change of 8.7% in the next twelve months. The current state of Apple stock is very impressive and market predictions show that it should become even more impressive in the next twelve months. (Financial Times

It is beyond all doubt that Apple Inc is one of the most successful and well-known companied all over the world nowadays. What’s more, the company is considered to be the leader of the industry The Apple products are of high quality and in high demand on all the markets. Apple services and stores are the gold standards for all the followers and niche players of the industry. Moreover, the majority of Apple customers are extremely loyal to the brands. Once they started using its high-technical products they keep doing it. At the same time the market share of the company is increasing constantly. Probably all the competitors are questioning what is the key to Apple Company’s success. It is important to note that the whole strategy determines the success of the business and the strategic analysis of the company can help to identify the main criteria. Thus, the object of the research paper is to develop a strategic analysis of Apple Inc, including its internal and external environment.