Suppy & Demand Factors Affecting Apple

One key element of Apple’s strategy in computers, personal media players, tablet computers, and smart phones is product innovation, diversification and development. Over the years Apple has been very successful in integrating software and hardware in new developing products. Despite the struggling economy in recent years, Apple has been able to grow their market share and stay ahead of the game.

- April 19, 2006: Apple Computer, Inc. announced that it expected its third quarter revenues to be around $4.2-$4.4 billion, GAAP earnings of $.39-$.43 per share, translating to non-GAAP earnings of $.43-$.47 per share. Analysts expect non-GAAP earnings of $0.47 per share on revenues of $4.72 billion in the same period.

Technology change has naturally been a major factor in Apple's success. The company played a major role in the shift to a mobile computing society, by developing the personal technology devices that would

Apple, filed their 10k annual report with the SEC for financial results for their fiscal 2014 fourth quarter ended September 27, 2014 (www.paladino.ch, 2014). Apple reported their quarterly revenue at $42.1 billion and quarterly net profit of $8.5 billion, or $1.42 per share (www.paladino.ch, 2014). These results compare to revenue of $37.5 billion and net profit of $7.5 billion, or $1.18 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 38 percent compared to 37 percent in the year-ago quarter (www.paladino.ch, 2014). International sales accounted for 60 percent of the quarter’s revenue. Apple’s board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $.47 per share of the Company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on November 13, 2014, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 10, 2014 (www.paladino.ch, 2014).

The multi billion-dollar corporation, Apple Inc., designs and manufactures some of today’s highest technological gizmos and gadgets. Among their best known products are the Apple and Macintosh computers, iPods, iTunes, iPhones and iPads. Apple is one of the most powerful and influential high tech companies in the world. The success of Apple Inc. stems from the innovation and visions of co-founder and entrepreneur, Steve Jobs, the excellence of the stylish, user-friendly products, and the ability to create innovative products that consumer’s desire.

Apple Inc had sales amounting to $ 65,225 in 2010 compared to $ 108,249 in 2011 which is a 66% increase (U.S Securities and Exchange Commission, 2011). This indicates the company performed exceedingly well in terms of revenue generation. MSN (2011) provides that Apple has a five year annual growth rate of 41.16% compared to industry's growth rate of 38.38%. This indicates that the company has high performance compared to other players in the industry and that the company is achieving its strategic goal of increasing organizational revenue. The results indicate that strategies employed are effective in generating revenue and in improving performance.

Steve Wozniak and the late Steven Jobs founded a computer company in April 1, 1976, Apple Computers Inc. becomes a global leader in the sector of computer and mobile technology (Rawlinson, 2016). Today, the company specializes in a range of products including computer hardware and software, consumer electronics, and provides digital distribution. With over 120 online stores, as well as worldwide retail stores in different countries, Apple continues to portray commendable features of financial stability. The firm remains highly competitive relative to key rivals as Samsung, Dell, and Acer. The study analyzes the financial position of Apple in the last three years in terms of sustainable growth rate (SGR).

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.

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,

Even though Apple has encountered many setbacks, it continues to bring new and improve products to the market. Apple’s competitive strategy has been innovation. They have made an extraordinary effort developing, implementing, and executing its very unique strategy through innovation which has resulted in new product, and the enrichment of the existing ones. More specifically, Apple attempts to meet and supply the needs of a global market, by offering eager and enthusiastic consumers with innovated and high-quality products and services. Apple has employed a differentiation strategy linked to innovation with its three core products (computers, personal media player, mobile phones, tablets and other accessories). A key piece of their strategy involves meeting the needs of the converging digital electronics and computer markets. Apple has elected to implement its strategy by designing and developing proprietary operating systems and software technologies, thus allowing for strict protection of its intellectual rights.

INNOVATION: Apple influences the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, iOS, OS X, watchOS and more. Over the years, apple has developed by contributing superior products compare to competitors.

Nowadays, Apple has positioned itself to be an innovator in the personal computer industry and Apple has developed by offering modern products compared to its competitors. According to Apple’s mission statement last year, “Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.” (Business Management,

Apple Incorporated, formerly known as Apple Computers Incorporated, and more commonly known just as Apple, has lead the way in technology and innovation for consumer electronics with their slender storage capacities, vibrant displays, and incredible touch screen products. When they first started, their focus was more on personal computers for customers, but as the company has aged, so has their focus expanded towards this idea of consumer electronics as a whole. Seeing as they now offer popular devices including, but not limited to, computers (Mac Book), home theater (Apple TV), phones (iPhone), tablets (iPad), and media (iPod), it can clearly be

Apple has always been something of a trendsetter in the tech space. Its product history since Steve Jobs’s return in 1997 gives us a solid list of examples to choose from, from its very first iPod, to Apple’s PowerBook (and later MacBook) lines, to the iPhone and the iPad. Apple’s history is dominated by products that existed before Apple had a crack at them - but it was Apple who simplified them, made them appealing on a much wider scale, and ultimately made them objects of desire for the masses.

Apple Inc. is globally renowned as one of the leading companies, especially for its specialization in the personal computers and consumer electronics industry. The company is most well-known for the iPod, a digital music player and Macintosh, a personal computer released in 1984.