Apple Inc., is a multinational information technology corporation based in California, USA.
The company produces consumer electronics, personal computers, and software. It is one of the largest IT companies in the world and it is often considered to be the most successful startup company of all time.
Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Their first personal computer, called the Apple I, went on sale in July 1976. It was essentially just a motherboard (with CPU and RAM).
During its first first five years the company flourished, with revenues doubling almost every four months.
In 1977 the Apple II personal computer was released (almost entirely invented by Wozniak).
As opposed to other computers of its time, the Apple II stood out because of its use of cell-based color graphics. It featured an integrated keyboard, plastic case, and eight internal expansion slots.
What really pushed Apple’s computer ahead of the competition (Commodore and Tandy) was a spreadsheet program called VisiCalc – often dubbed as the business world’s first “killer app”.
The Macintosh computer was released in 1984 and sales were fairly strong at the beginning – but began to drop fairly quickly. In the 1990’s Apple made a controversial move and began producing a whole range of consumer products, including digital cameras, CD players, speakers, video consoles, etc. These products did not help Apple at all, in fact the company’s market share and stock value declined drastically.
It was not until 2001, when Apple released its Mac OS X and released the iPod – a portable audio device – that Apple started reporting impressive profit figures. The iPod was incredibly successful – selling over a hundred million units in under six years.
With the iPhone Apple made its entry into the smartphone market.
On June 29th, 2007, Apple introduced its first generation iPhone, and entered the highly lucrative market of smartphones. Over a period of five quarters the company sold 6.1 million first generation iPhones. The iPhone runs on Apple’s iOS mobile operating system. By the end of 2010, Apple had sold 73.5 million iPhones.
In the fourth quarter of 2012, the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 were the best-selling smartphones in the world, with sales of 27.4 million and 17.1 million units respectively, or 13% of all smartphones sold globally.
On September 10th, 2013, the company introduced the 7th-generation iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S.
Between 2000 and 2006 Apple’s stock value increased surged from $10 USD per share to $190 USD per share.
Apple is now the second-largest information technology company in the world (based on total revenue). In September, 2013, Apple became the world’s most valuable brand, overtaking Coca-Cola. After Samsung, Apple is the second richest cell phone maker globally.
Apple produces a range of cell phones, portable music devices, personal computers, and software. The company also provides networking solutions and other services.
Its main product lines are: the iPhone (phone), iPad (tablet), Mac (personal computer), iPod (portable media device), and iTunes (an online music/video/app store).
The company is trying to gain a foothold in the music streaming business, which expanded by 51% in 2013, while music downloads declined by 2.1%, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Overview
- Chairman: Arthur D. Levinson
- CEO: Tim Cook
- Type: Public
- Traded as: NASDAQ: AAPL
- S&P 500 Component
- Revenue: $182.795 billion (2014)
- Net income: $39,510 million USD (2014)
- Diluted earnings per share: $6.45 USD (2014)
- Headquarters: Apple Campus, 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California, USA
- Employees: 92,600 (2014)
- Corporate contact number: (408) 996-1010
- Investor relations contact number: (408) 974-3123
- Website: http://apple.com/
- Company subsidiaries: FileMaker Inc., Anobit, Braeburn Capital
Apple Inc. Financial Results, Year Ended September 27, 2014
| Operating data (in $ millions) | 2014 | 2013 |
| Net sales | $182,795 | $170,910 |
| Operating income | $52,503 | $48,999 |
| Income before income taxes | $53,483 | $50,155 |
| Net income | $39,510 | $37,037 |
| Balance sheet data (in $ millions) | ||
| Total assets | $231,839 | $207,000 |
| Total liabilities | $120,292 | $83,451 |
| Total equity | $111,547 | $123,549 |
| Common share data (in $) | ||
| Basic earnings per share | $6.49 | $5.72 |
| Diluted earnings per share | $6.45 | $5.68 |
| Cash flow data (in $ millions) | ||
| Cash generated by operating activities | $59,713 | $53,666 |
| Cash used in investing activities | $(22,579) | $(33,774) |
| Cash used in financing activities | $(37,549) | $(16,379) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | $14,259 | $10,746 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $13,844 | $14,259 |
Source: Apple Inc. Form 10-K 2014