Dividends are taxed like ordinary income (IIRC), so paying dividends would be sending money out to shareholders, it gets reduced by taxes, and then the shareholders have to figure out what to do with it that would return as much as Apple would. The best return would thus be likely re-investing it in Apple shares. Its then a smaller amount, due to taxes and thus there's no really positive effect of it. I think the mainstream thinking about dividends isn't quite right-- the value of each Apple share goes up a dollar for every dollar they retain, and more than a dollar for every dollar that Apple can re-invest in its business at a profit.
This is why, for instance, Warren Buffett doesn't pay dividends in Berkshire Hathaway.
Apple is a very fast growing technology stock. It's really not the kind of company that should pay dividends because it has lots of opportunities to invest that money profitably.
Its quite possible that Apple is contemplating a $50-$70B acquisition that is very strategic.
This is why, for instance, Warren Buffett doesn't pay dividends in Berkshire Hathaway.
Apple is a very fast growing technology stock. It's really not the kind of company that should pay dividends because it has lots of opportunities to invest that money profitably.
Its quite possible that Apple is contemplating a $50-$70B acquisition that is very strategic.