Each day that passed in the third quarter added about $22 million to the Apple Inc. (AAPL) cash stash. Ironically we are 22 days into the fourth quarter. That means Apple has added in the neighborhood of $484 million more to what is an ever increasing percentage of the company.

The company's capitalization stands $282 billion.The cash is a drag on earnings. At the end of Q3 it equaled almost 18% of the value of the company. Considering it is the second largest company behind Exxon Mobil (XOM), for now, the bigger it gets, the more it resembles an anchor and not a safety net.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Apple $50 Billion + $484 Million

Chasing Value: Apple $50 Billion + $484 Million originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT): if you own it fine. If you are looking to make a lot of money, why buy it? Yes, we've heard about Zune. Big deal, I say. X-Box, so what? Vista might be real catalyst, perhaps. MSN a cash cow? That's another work in progress -- but it is a player.

I love MSFT's balance sheet, profit margins, and dreamy cash flow. But with all the stories about Microsoft and various initiatives, management and ideas, I just don't see what all the fuss is about. As a company it's nice. If you were along for the pre-2000 ride that is wonderful. But now it's a slow moving behemoth that will continue to grow a little bit at a time and never ever be what it was -- a high growth stock.

The stock buy back did not go as planned because management actually realized the shares are worth less and needed support. They could not buy enough because silly shareholders think the company is worth more than management does.

Well, I disagree with shareholders and agree with management instead. They will continue to be supporting the share price, keeping it from falling to $19 or $20 even as each new initiative is slow to add to revenue.

If you disagree with my view, as many will, then please stop telling us why the stock will rise and tell us what you think projected (speculation) earnings will be for each segment and what has specifically made you so optimistic. Throwing out numbers is ridiculous with no economic facts to back it up.

Why does anybody think the stock, now at $25.70, will be $30, or $35 or $60? Why shouldn't it be $19? Why shouldn't it have an average P/E? I would like to know. I would like to make some money too. I just can't figure it out -- enlighten me.

Continue reading Microsoft (MSFT): Nice company, mediocre investment

Microsoft (MSFT): Nice company, mediocre investment originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Aug 2006 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.