Apple's Stock on the Rise

[MacRumors]

Apple's stock saw a 52-week high yesterday and continues to trade with heavy volume.

Yahoo Finance (http://finance.yahoo.com/mp#aapl) attributes the increased volume to a "revival of Sony buyout rumor". CBS Marketwatch (http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/newsfinder/pulseone.asp?dateid=38051.4557638889-812695090&siteID=mktw&scid=0&doctype=806&property=sid&value=609&categories=&value2=AAPL&), however, attributes the increased trading to this USA Today article (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2004-03-05-mini_x.htm) which reports on the iPod Mini's striking success and near sellout country-wide.

[Mr.Hey]

YOu got to love the feeling you get from seeing APPL stock clime so quickly. Everything has been so positive for Apple lately.....I hope it continues, God knows they deserve it.

[PlaceofDis]

Go Apple! :D

[Grimace]

woohoo!! Hopefully this is the start of increased awareness in the value of this company.

[COS]

I saw this (http://www.osviews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=963&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0) and learned that AAPL also passed MSFt!

[jeffgarden]

what about sony now ? what was the yahoo thing ? it said:

Yahoo Finance attributes the increased volume to a "revival of Sony buyout rumor".

but the link for "Yahoo Finance" didn't talk about no "revival of Sony buyout rumors"

[mj_1903]

Of note, this time last year Apple stock was trading around ~$12 a share. Its now hovering around the $27 a share mark.

What is significant about this, other than the return on investment, is that Apple is now worth $10 billion dollars again.

[mj_1903]

what about sony now ? what was the yahoo thing ? it said:

Yahoo Finance attributes the increased volume to a "revival of Sony buyout rumor".

but the link for "Yahoo Finance" didn't talk about no "revival of Sony buyout rumors"

It did, scroll up the messages to one dated 10:10am.

[jeffgarden]

It did, scroll up the messages to one dated 10:10am.

ah thanks -- so were they saying the stock went up because of rumors that apple wanted to buy Sony ? or do i not understand words right ?

[sethypoo]

ah thanks -- so were they saying the stock went up because of rumors that apple wanted to buy Sony ? or do i not understand words right ?

I believe that's the idea, although it doesn't make much sense. :confused:

[jeffgarden]

what the hell !? Apple was rumored to buy Sony and this site is talking about iDVD updates ? :p

[sethypoo]

Apple is higher than Microsoft! This is so, so great.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[mj_1903]

ah thanks -- so were they saying the stock went up because of rumors that apple wanted to buy Sony ? or do i not understand words right ?

I believe that's the idea, although it doesn't make much sense. :confused:

Nope, the rumor indicates that Sony is looking to buy Apple.

[proglife]

I think Apple is the only big evil corporation I find myself pulling for regularly. IBM now too!

[Mr. G4]

Not quite...it's just a projection (vision) of Anderson.
Apple is not there yet.

Of note, this time last year Apple stock was trading around ~$12 a share. Its not hovering around the $27 a share mark.

What is significant about this, other than the return on investment, is that Apple is now worth $10 billion dollars again.

[mj_1903]

Not quite...it's just a projection (vision) of Anderson.
Apple is not there yet.

I know, otherwise I would have quoted Anderson. Apple should break $10 billion in revenue in 2006...should.

I was more saying it because back last year, Apple was worth less than the cash it held.

[Grimace]

Apple is higher than Microsoft! This is so, so great.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

This makes absolutely no sense. Stock prices from different companies can Never be equated. Splits, p/e ratios etc make individual share prices what they are. A higher stock price than MS means nothing. IBM's share price is close to 100. Oooooh, that's higher than Apple and Microsoft put together... NO! There is only one stock that has never split - talk to Warren Buffett about that - you need tens of thousands of dollars to buy ONE share.

[sethypoo]

This makes absolutely no sense. Stock prices from different companies can Never be equated. Splits, p/e ratios etc make individual share prices what they are. A higher stock price than MS means nothing. IBM's share price is close to 100. Oooooh, that's higher than Apple and Microsoft put together... NO! There is only one stock that has never split - talk to Warren Buffett about that - you need tens of thousands of dollars to buy ONE share.

Ook "carleton", keep your clothes on. :rolleyes:

It makes perfect sense, from a simple point of view. I know stock splits and ratios change the prices around a lot, but I was looking at this from the standpoint of:
Microsoft=huge, dominating software company
Apple=small, struggling company with no where near the revenue of MSFT.

I am just happy to see Apple be "ahead" in a way.

Don't rain on my parade, dude! :rolleyes: :p ;)

[TEG]

Nope, the rumor indicates that Sony is looking to buy Apple.

Actually, It states that Apple is a Bank with computer and Music Divisions. This is based onthem not havin any debt, and regurlarly making money. If anything, Apple Will buy parts of Sony, or the entire company, especially considering Sony's eroding market share in Computers, TVs, Video Cameras, and Digital Cameras. They are only making money on CD, and Cassete Walkmen. Don't even get me started on MiniDisks.

Apple to Buy Sony... News at 11.

TEG

[sethypoo]

Apple to Buy Sony... News at 11.

TEG

I wish.

Here's hoping! :)

[luggnutt]

I saw this (http://www.osviews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=963&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0) and learned that AAPL also passed MSFt!

The actual price of a stock means nothing. All it really is good for is tracking increase and decrease in value (WOO go AAPL!).

When stock prices get "too high," companies split the stock, making 2 out of 1 and halving the price, or sometimes a different ratio. So the price is suddenly half as much, but there are twice as many shares.

For AAPL to REALLY pass MSFT, they would have to have a higher total value of stock (stock price x number of shares). If Apple and MS have similarly priced individual stocks, you can bet the farm that there are many many many times more MS stock on the market.

[jettredmont]

CBS Marketwatch (http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/newsfinder/pulseone.asp?dateid=38051.4557638889-812695090&siteID=mktw&scid=0&doctype=806&property=sid&value=609&categories=&value2=AAPL&), however, attributes the increased trading to this USA Today article (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2004-03-05-mini_x.htm) which reports on the iPod Mini's striking success and near sellout country-wide.

Not saying anything about the Sony rumors, but would Apple's stock really skyrocket with this much volume (over 20 million shares changed hands today already ... average is 5 million for the full day!) because of a USA Today article which basically says nothing more than a company press release said, what, a week or so ago?

I think CBS is completely wrong here.

It may be Sony rumors, or it may be something else that someone knows that we don't, or it may be just an "ordinary" event which triggered a sheep buy-in because of the other whispere rumors (I've seen that quite a few times ... rumors whispered about, and a fund decides to snap up a few million shares unrelated to the rumors and the mass of daytraders and such "sense" a sea change and jump in ...)

IMHO, I'm a happy shareholder ... pulled a few thousand of cash out now and letting the rest ride ...

[virividox]

ooo go apple

i hope this keeps up :D

[Rocketman]

Apple is higher than Microsoft! This is so, so great.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)


Price is one thing and market capitalization is quite another.

Wanna compare cash hoards?

Rocketmnan

[sethypoo]

Price is one thing and market capitalization is quite another.

Wanna compare cash hoards?

Rocketmnan

Please see posts #'s 17 and 18.

Here's the link: http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=737654&postcount=18

[wrldwzrd89]

Apple's stock saw a 52-week high yesterday and continues to trade with heavy volume.

Yahoo Finance (http://finance.yahoo.com/mp#aapl) attributes the increased volume to a "revival of Sony buyout rumor". CBS Marketwatch (http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/newsfinder/pulseone.asp?dateid=38051.4557638889-812695090&siteID=mktw&scid=0&doctype=806&property=sid&value=609&categories=&value2=AAPL&), however, attributes the increased trading to this USA Today article (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2004-03-05-mini_x.htm) which reports on the iPod Mini's striking success and near sellout country-wide.
Yay for Apple (AAPL) on reaching a 52-week high for their stock price. I hope it continues to rise (I don't own shares of Apple, or ANY shares for that matter). I also look forward to other product introductions Apple promised for this year that will further boost Apple's stock.

[Naimfan]

Somehow I don't think Apple wins a cash on hand comparison....

As noted above, the stock price is just the market's opinion of what a share of Apple is worth. That said, the rise in stock price most likely also reflects the solid financial results Apple has posted, and the splash the iPod and Mini have given the company--more people are aware of, and buying product, than have in the past. Coupled with Apple moving to IBM, investors have good reason to believe Apple will continue to do well in the future as an investment.

There is an interesting tidbit of data in Apple's 10Q for the period ending 12-27-03 dealing with their inventory--they list only $89 million in inventory, with $85 million of that in finished goods and only $1 million in works in progress. The works in progress figure is interesting because it could suggest a ramp down of production, hinting at new products. The folks who have suggested Apple may be holding off announcing new machines can also point to the $85 million in finished goods--a substantial increase over the prior quarter.

More speculatively, the markets may be giving Apple a vote of confidence in Apple's ability to define and seize new markets--in essence, the Street may be saying "We believe the iPod and Mini are the beginning and not a one shot success."

I'd be very surprised if Sony tried to buy Apple, although I don't know what, if any, defensive provisions Apple's board has in place. Objectively, Apple does look like a terrific takeover target for a company that wants cachet...

Best,

Bob

[jweste2906]

Ook "carleton", keep your clothes on. :rolleyes:

It makes perfect sense, from a simple point of view. I know stock splits and ratios change the prices around a lot, but I was looking at this from the standpoint of:
Microsoft=huge, dominating software company
Apple=small, struggling company with no where near the revenue of MSFT.

I am just happy to see Apple be "ahead" in a way.

Don't rain on my parade, dude! :rolleyes: :p ;)

Until Apples stock price passes $771 per share as a company it will remain way behind Microsoft. Comparing share prices means nothing.

[OnceUGoMac]

Actually, It states that Apple is a Bank with computer and Music Divisions. This is based onthem not havin any debt, and regurlarly making money. If anything, Apple Will buy parts of Sony, or the entire company, especially considering Sony's eroding market share in Computers, TVs, Video Cameras, and Digital Cameras. They are only making money on CD, and Cassete Walkmen. Don't even get me started on MiniDisks.

Apple to Buy Sony... News at 11.

TEG

Uh, no. There is no chance that Apple has the assets to aquire SONY. That's like saying Tandy is going to buy Disney. SONY is MUCH more than an electronic company. They are one of the media giants along with Disney, Newscorp., etc. As far as acquring parts of SONY, what would they buy?

[Graefe]

Apple's p/e ratio is 72 (compared to Microsoft's 32).
Stock price seems to be very expensive (relative to the company's revenue).
I do not feel well about this.
Of course, there are a lot of people, who still do not care p/e...

Graefe

[Grimace]

sorry for getting a little heated back there sethypoo.

It's like the Mhz myth. (p4 2Gz is not the same as g5 2ghz)

You have to account for splits etc. since the company first went public. Post 28 said it well: "Until Apples stock price passes $771 per share as a company it will remain way behind Microsoft. Comparing share prices means nothing."

[FatSweatyChimp]

Everything has been so positive for Apple lately.....I hope it continues, God knows they deserve it.


Why is that?

[whooleytoo]

While things are going well for Apple, these rises are a bit sudden. What, 5% or so yesterday, currently 7% again today? None of the recent headlines are *that* earth-shaking.

I'm a conspiracy theorist by hobby, so I can't help but wonder if someone's gobbling up Apple stock at the moment. Perhaps Apple execs who know of a product in the pipeline?

I know it sounds fanciful, but many in Apple's management made millions when they bought stock at $15 and sold just before the split (c. $140?).

[sethypoo]

Until Apples stock price passes $771 per share as a company it will remain way behind Microsoft. Comparing share prices means nothing.

So it means nothing that Apple is on the way towards doing just that, getting $771 per share?

Logic.....

[Naimfan]

I'm a conspiracy theorist by hobby, so I can't help but wonder if someone's gobbling up Apple stock at the moment. Perhaps Apple execs who know of a product in the pipeline?


It better not be Apple execs who know of a product--the US has rather strict laws against insider trading....and that is exactly what that would be.

Best,

Bob

[onemoof]

It mentions "Sony buyout rumor" as in the rumor is that Sony will buy Apple, not the other way around. The stock that is being bought is the one that climbs since it suddenly becomes "in demand".

Sony is a 38 billion dollar company, Apple is a 10 billion dollar company. Does it sound like Apple could buy Sony?

[onemoof]

It better not be Apple execs who know of a product--the US has rather strict laws against insider trading....and that is exactly what that would be.

Best,

Bob

Stock purchases by executives are also visible in public record of a company so anyone can watch their moves.

View insider trades at: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=AAPL

[Grimace]

So it means nothing that Apple is on the way towards doing just that, getting $771 per share?

Logic.....

Yeah, that's great. But you're glee that Apple had nudged past MS was based on numbers - which represent much larger numbers - which are MUCH further apart.

[Naimfan]

It mentions "Sony buyout rumor" as in the rumor is that Sony will buy Apple, not the other way around. The stock that is being bought is the one that climbs since it suddenly becomes "in demand".

Sony is a 38 billion dollar company, Apple is a 10 billion dollar company. Does it sound like Apple could buy Sony?

You're exactly right about the target stock typically running up.....

But I would point out that there are ways Apple could acquire
Sony...

Best,

Bob

[onemoof]

Although there are good financial reasons to do so, it is somewhat funny to see Microsoft's insider trades.

Bill Gates sells about $25-85 million of Microsoft stock PER DAY.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=MSFT

[Naimfan]

Stock purchases by executives are also visible in public record of a company so anyone can watch their moves.


That's true, assuming the executives are following the law......

In any event, there is a prohibition on corporate executives using their knowledge of their company to profit. This is why executives either have blind trusts or schedule their purchases and sales of their own companies securities.

Best,

Bob

[gopher]

Don't forget Apple reported last quarter an increase in profits of 550%. This is only the tip of the iceburg.

[Frobozz]

Apple's stock saw a 52-week high yesterday and continues to trade with heavy volume.

Yahoo Finance (http://finance.yahoo.com/mp#aapl) attributes the increased volume to a "revival of Sony buyout rumor". CBS Marketwatch (http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/newsfinder/pulseone.asp?dateid=38051.4557638889-812695090&siteID=mktw&scid=0&doctype=806&property=sid&value=609&categories=&value2=AAPL&), however, attributes the increased trading to this USA Today article (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2004-03-05-mini_x.htm) which reports on the iPod Mini's striking success and near sellout country-wide.

Boy, am I glad I held my shares. Bought in the 16's. :-) Needless to say the past couple days have been good to me.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

I can't say that I buy into the idea of Sony buying Apple or Apple buying some pieces of Sony, BUT there have been rumors of new alliances being announced. Maybe the rumors are actually indicators of Sony and Apple teaming up on something. I could see how the two could work together on a project - and if Apple is able to put together partnerships with IBM, Sony, Pepsi, and McDonald's all in one year, that's going to greatly increase product exposure. I'm not sure what the two would get together on, but I could see it happening.

and the sales of the iPod mini certainly help. I want to sell my 3rd gen iPod 10GB to buy one. They're just so amazing to behold and to use - and the aluminum encasing is definitely an improvement over the strong plastic case on mine.

[Frobozz]

While things are going well for Apple, these rises are a bit sudden. What, 5% or so yesterday, currently 7% again today? None of the recent headlines are *that* earth-shaking.

I'm a conspiracy theorist by hobby, so I can't help but wonder if someone's gobbling up Apple stock at the moment. Perhaps Apple execs who know of a product in the pipeline?

I know it sounds fanciful, but many in Apple's management made millions when they bought stock at $15 and sold just before the split (c. $140?).

I think it's simple. Coverage on the iPod an it's ramifications for future computer market share and current profitability. One analyst from Merriyl is quoted as saying that Apple could sell 1 billion dollars worth of iPods this year. He also believe's it could translate into market share on computers.

The other things to consider are the partnership deals. Look at this HP deal with the iPod. It's, perhaps, the biggest news Apple has had from a financial standpoint, in a LONG LONG time. It means Apple will attack the mind share and marketshare issue on many fronts, and that they aren't cutting off their nose dispite their face like they used to.

My bet is the iPod mini, iPod sales, iTMS, and business goals. Good analyst coverage has helped greatly.

[bluefido]

I believe that's the idea, although it doesn't make much sense. :confused:

I think the idea is that Sony will buy Apple out not the other way around. Sony is a much larger company. As much as I like Apple, there is no way Apple would be able to buy Sony.

As for the reason in price going up, it would take a lot more than brisk sales of iPod minis for it to go up as much as it did. It was most likely because of rumors of a Sony buyout.

[achmafooma]

Uh, no. There is no chance that Apple has the assets to aquire SONY. That's like saying Tandy is going to buy Disney. SONY is MUCH more than an electronic company. They are one of the media giants along with Disney, Newscorp., etc. As far as acquring parts of SONY, what would they buy?
Why, Apple would of course buy the Walkman division.

Or Memory Stick ;-)

In all seriousness, Sony is one of those companies that I would really like to like. But when I think about it, I can't think of anything they make that has ever been much use to me.

I had one experience with trying to troubleshoot somebody's Vaio about three years ago, and was a bit perplexed by the internal design of the computer (a desktop). It was oddly built. The newer ones do look pretty cool though.

It's all an interesting thought, but I don't take the Apple/Sony talk very seriously.

[bluefido]

You're exactly right about the target stock typically running up.....

But I would point out that there are ways Apple could acquire
Sony...

Best,

Bob

The is no possible way Apple could acquire Sony not unless they want to sink both Sony and Apple in infinite debt.

[whooleytoo]

It better not be Apple execs who know of a product--the US has rather strict laws against insider trading....and that is exactly what that would be.

I expected so too.

I imagine it'd be quite difficult to discern though. They can claim (as every investor would) that they invested because they believe Apple will do well over the next year or 2 years etc. How could you easily tell it's more than that, that they were aware of impending products?

(I guess I might be a little oversensitive about this, given one of the names on the list of Apple management who made a mint on shares was the same guy who promised us all our jobs at Apple were safe - a fortnight before our department was axed.. But no, I don't bear a grudge! ;) )

[Tulse]

I really don't think that Apple is a good takeover target. First off, they have about $4 billion in cash reserves to fight a takeover, and that's not chump change even to a company like Sony.

More importantly, though, Apple at this point essentially is Steve Jobs -- the value of the company is intimately tied to his presence. If Steve didn't want to work for some other company, the threat of him leaving would immediately make a takeover far less attractive (yes, it would lower the cost of such a takeover, but it would also lower its value). And I can't imagine Steve working for anyone but Steve (or, for that matter, any corporation in its right mind wanting Steve as a subordinate).

[bluefido]

I really don't think that Apple is a good takeover target. First off, they have about $4 billion in cash reserves to fight a takeover, and that's not chump change even to a company like Sony.

It depends on how the Board and management feel and what price is given. Who says that Apple would prevent EVERY takeover. If the price is right, especially in cash, it would be hard to resist.

That being said, since Apple has no debt whatsoever and has $4 billion in cash reserves, it would take a VERY large offer to be attractive to the Board.

Also, again, I love Apple and their products...

On the Steve Jobs point, it does not necessarily mean he would pushed out. If anything, Sony would probably want to maintain most of the same management and let Apple run its own affairs (since it has been doing so well) as a subsidiary.

[bluefido]

I can't say that I buy into the idea of Sony buying Apple or Apple buying some pieces of Sony, BUT there have been rumors of new alliances being announced.

I don't necessarily buy in the idea either, but it is a rumor. Rumors of buyouts and mergers get day traders excited.

[jettredmont]

You're exactly right about the target stock typically running up.....

But I would point out that there are ways Apple could acquire
Sony...



Exactly.

Of course, most of them involved kidnapping and mind control of key Sony stockholders into selling their shares of Sony for 1/10th the current market value and/or the construction of a time machine to go back to a time when Sony was worth less than $4.5B ...

Apple buying a part of Sony ... well, I suppose that could happen. But, not likely I think. More likely, these rumors are coming from Sony and Apple execs meeting about something, which might be anything from an HP-ish iPod deal to making Sony MiniDiscs compatible with iTMS (unlikely but whatever). Or maybe even a new MaxiPod which somehow incorporates Sony's technology ... who knows?

Generally, the stock market is good at picking up "hints" and "cues" prior to news, but not very good at determining what those are hints of, nor at determining the true magnitude or the importance of such.

[jettredmont]

Although there are good financial reasons to do so, it is somewhat funny to see Microsoft's insider trades.

Bill Gates sells about $25-85 million of Microsoft stock PER DAY.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=MSFT


Come on! A man's gotta buy groceries and gas, doesn't he? Sheesh ... so critical! :)

[OnceUGoMac]

I can't say that I buy into the idea of Sony buying Apple or Apple buying some pieces of Sony, BUT there have been rumors of new alliances being announced. Maybe the rumors are actually indicators of Sony and Apple teaming up on something. I could see how the two could work together on a project - and if Apple is able to put together partnerships with IBM, Sony, Pepsi, and McDonald's all in one year, that's going to greatly increase product exposure. I'm not sure what the two would get together on, but I could see it happening.

and the sales of the iPod mini certainly help. I want to sell my 3rd gen iPod 10GB to buy one. They're just so amazing to behold and to use - and the aluminum encasing is definitely an improvement over the strong plastic case on mine.

That would be interesting. I would like to see SONY and Apple work together.

[gop007]

Well despite following this stock closely I am at a loss in trying to justify this big jump in stock price. Never the less I do believe it is temporary therfore I dumped all my shares of AAPL this morning. Capital gains in 2005 will be a real pain. :)

[Mr. G4]

May be Apple and Sony will team up to sell the entire catalogue of Columbia House Music and Video on the same model as first they get you in the club by offering pennies for a complete CD then you have to buy 1 CD per month etc...

I can't say that I buy into the idea of Sony buying Apple or Apple buying some pieces of Sony, BUT there have been rumors of new alliances being announced. Maybe the rumors are actually indicators of Sony and Apple teaming up on something. I could see how the two could work together on a project - and if Apple is able to put together partnerships with IBM, Sony, Pepsi, and McDonald's all in one year, that's going to greatly increase product exposure. I'm not sure what the two would get together on, but I could see it happening.

and the sales of the iPod mini certainly help. I want to sell my 3rd gen iPod 10GB to buy one. They're just so amazing to behold and to use - and the aluminum encasing is definitely an improvement over the strong plastic case on mine.

[jettredmont]

That being said, since Apple has no debt whatsoever and has $4 billion in cash reserves, it would take a VERY large offer to be attractive to the Board.


Not to fuel rumors or anything, but getting rid of any paper debt before a merger is kinda like washing and vacuuming your car before trading it in ... it won't necessarily help a whole lot, but it certainly doesn't hurt, and there's always the chance that it might help ...

Getting rid of that last little bit of debt had always struck me as odd ...

[Naimfan]

Exactly.

Of course, most of them involved kidnapping and mind control of key Sony stockholders into selling their shares of Sony for 1/10th the current market value and/or the construction of a time machine to go back to a time when Sony was worth less than $4.5B ...



LOL! Great line!

On a more serious note, there ARE ways Apple could do it. They could, for example, do a combined cash/stock purchase of just enough of Sony to give it control, they could try a LBO, they could team up with another company (or companies), etc. The ways it could be done would only be limited by the imagination of the M&A lawyers involved. And Apple does have over 500 million shares of stock authorized but not issued, according to their most recent 10Q.

I agree with you that it's not happening, but there are ways Apple could do it if it wanted to badly enough--and were willing to pay the price.

Best,

Bob

[jettredmont]

Well despite following this stock closely I am at a loss in trying to justify this big jump in stock price. Never the less I do believe it is temporary therfore I dumped all my shares of AAPL this morning. Capital gains in 2005 will be a real pain. :)

I'm nowhere near dumping all my shares. But I had to cash out a few too ... too tempting not to, what with so many purty devices to spend the proceeds on!

Yes, my wife will be getting a pink iPod mini ...

[splashman]

Isn't that interesting? The entire first shipment (100,000+) of minis has essentially sold out.

I just can't help recalling how many of you cheap whiners thought the mini was going to bomb at $249. Once again, you projected your own situation (penniless and/or hopelessly myopic) onto the population at large, and labeled Apple's entire marketing department as morons for not signing on to your entitlement mantra. I can think of a few who are much more deserving of that label.

Muahahahahaha! Go Apple!

[windowsblowsass]

I saw this (http://www.osviews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=963&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0) and learned that AAPL also passed MSFt!
also they spelled climb clim

[windowsblowsass]

ah thanks -- so were they saying the stock went up because of rumors that apple wanted to buy Sony ? or do i not understand words right ?
i think that its saying that since apples stock has rosew so high the rumors of a buyout are arising again :)

[Tulse]

On the Steve Jobs point, it does not necessarily mean he would pushed out. If anything, Sony would probably want to maintain most of the same management and let Apple run its own affairs (since it has been doing so well) as a subsidiary.

I'm sure that Sony would want to keep Steve -- my point was that I doubted that Steve wants to work for Sony (or anyone). I also think that an organization like Sony would be crazy to want Steve as an underling -- he doesn't "play well with others". (And, for that matter, ask Gil Amelio about the dangers management faces when buying a Steve-run company.)

[macshark]

Sony buying Apple is quite unlikely at this point. Apple's market cap is $9.9B and Sony's market cap is $38.7B. Apple will be a very big acquisition for Sony. Sony as about $10B in cash and $12B in debt, so this would almost have to be a stock-for-stock type of acquisition. Sony would have to pay a huge premium for Apple shares to compensate for the fact that Sony stockprice will decline after the announcement of the deal. Given it's strong cash position, no debt and Steve Job's leadership, Apple probably won't sell below $40 at this point, which is simpy too expensive for Sony, or any other corporation with the exception of IBM. Last year when AAPL was trading near cash value, Sony acquiring Apple for a 50% premium (about $20/share) would have been a more realistic deal.

Some type of a partnership where Apple licenses some technology (like OSX or iApps) to Sony's next generation home entertainment center product in return for Apple getting the rights to sell the complete Sony music catalogue on iTunes music store could be an interesting deal.

If Sony were to buy a public US company, I would say the most realistic candidate would be Pixar.

[PBGPowerbook]

edit

[Grimace]

Sony used to be a top brand - but then tried to do TOO much. Vaio - bad call. Stick to audio/video products. That little robot dog thing - I hope someone got fired over that one...

[rjwill246]

Isn't that interesting? The entire first shipment (100,000+) of minis has essentially sold out.

I just can't help recalling how many of you cheap whiners thought the mini was going to bomb at $249. Once again, you projected your own situation (penniless and/or hopelessly myopic) onto the population at large...

Ah! The sounds of silence! There's a great Ozzie term for people with this mind set but on reflection I think it's insensitive to the– "dingo."

[rdowns]

The is no possible way Apple could acquire Sony not unless they want to sink both Sony and Apple in infinite debt.

Smaller companies buy out larger companies. Some ways include selling off pieces to others (Sony Pictures could go, Pixar could be involved). I bet there are many Sony competitors who would be interested in buying a piece of them.

That said, I doubt Apple will ever buy Sony or voce cersa.

[iChan]

Smaller companies buy out larger companies. Some ways include selling off pieces to others (Sony Pictures could go, Pixar could be involved). I bet there are many Sony competitors who would be interested in buying a piece of them.

That said, I doubt Apple will ever buy Sony or voce cersa.

voce cersa? cool

[iChan]

i really believe that apple and pixar should merge.

i remember reading that Apple was a very good takeover target, on motley fool or something. (a site i have great respect for)

anyway, my point is that there a lot of synergies between apple and pixar and it would be a mutually beneficial merger.

Pixar would move to Apple xserves and Apple would benefit from Pixar technologies and innovations in the video compression field and cross-marketing opporunities, and mindshare. the use of xserves would also not add to pixar's bottom line.

anyway, my point is that this would make Apple a much stronger entity to stand up against takeover bids.

this seems to be the way that apple must be heading anyway...
Pixar are on their way to becoming a large hollywood studio in its own right... at least that is what SJ's vision for it is... so Apple should probbaly merge with them while they are on their way up...

I'm just thinking out loud... but feel i mean a few good points. take from it what you will

[ethernet76]

Apple is higher than Microsoft! This is so, so great.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

That's irrelevent. While MSFT is lower than than AAPL, this means squat. I'm sure that MSFT has split more often the Apple has, mean that if a person who invested 1000 in both Apple and MS when they had their IPO, the Microsoft shares would be worth a lot more than the 1000 Apple shares. If microsoft was concerned about its dipping stock price it could always do a reverese split(extremely rare), at which point MSFT share prices would double.

Think before you comment.

[bar italia]

Isn't that interesting? The entire first shipment (100,000+) of minis has essentially sold out.

I just can't help recalling how many of you cheap whiners thought the mini was going to bomb at $249. Once again, you projected your own situation (penniless and/or hopelessly myopic) onto the population at large, and labeled Apple's entire marketing department as morons for not signing on to your entitlement mantra. I can think of a few who are much more deserving of that label.

Muahahahahaha! Go Apple!

Feel better about yourself now? :rolleyes:

[ethernet76]

Not to fuel rumors or anything, but getting rid of any paper debt before a merger is kinda like washing and vacuuming your car before trading it in ... it won't necessarily help a whole lot, but it certainly doesn't hurt, and there's always the chance that it might help ...

Getting rid of that last little bit of debt had always struck me as odd ...

Debt is a good way to increase your rating - buy, sell, hold. No debt is more likely to result in a buy recomendation. Of course though, look at gateway, they had no long term debt going into 2003, and while analyst expected great things from them, they were a huge dissapointment.

Not having any long term debt just means nothing. In fact for Apple at this point i think it is a bad thing. While interest rates are low, and credit ratings are high for them, they should take out a loan to buy back stock, or start buying technology companies.

But I do agree with jett. Getting rid of debt doesn't mean merger, and Pixar mergers are unlikely. They have nothing in common, further more, neither company would benefit. Pixar Jobs would laugh at Apple Jobs for even considering something like that. Pixar needs a distributor, not a merger.

[Frohickey]

But I do agree with jett. Getting rid of debt doesn't mean merger, and Pixar mergers are unlikely. They have nothing in common, further more, neither company would benefit. Pixar Jobs would laugh at Apple Jobs for even considering something like that. Pixar needs a distributor, not a merger.

A Pixar merger would not be good from Pixar's point of view. Apple does not bring anything to the table, aside from maybe a custom designed hardware solution for computer animation rendering.

An Apple merger would not be good from Apple's point of view. Pixar does not bring anything to the table, aside from maybe a customer for computer.

[Frohickey]

That's irrelevent. While MSFT is lower than than AAPL, this means squat. I'm sure that MSFT has split more often the Apple has, mean that if a person who invested 1000 in both Apple and MS when they had their IPO, the Microsoft shares would be worth a lot more than the 1000 Apple shares. If microsoft was concerned about its dipping stock price it could always do a reverese split(extremely rare), at which point MSFT share prices would double.

Think before you comment.

Hehehe...how about Berkshire Hathaway (http://finance.yahoo.com/search?type=&s=berkshire+hathaway&r=), the one stock that has never ever split.

[jettredmont]

That's irrelevent. While MSFT is lower than than AAPL, this means squat. I'm sure that MSFT has split more often the Apple has, mean that if a person who invested 1000 in both Apple and MS when they had their IPO, the Microsoft shares would be worth a lot more than the 1000 Apple shares. If microsoft was concerned about its dipping stock price it could always do a reverese split(extremely rare), at which point MSFT share prices would double.

Think before you comment.

Actually, if you look at a stock's history where they've had a split, the market value generally doesn't remain constant ... If the stock does a normal split, the market value usually goes up overall (ie, the price doesn't get cut in half or whatever the split is for). This is because splitting the stock is seen as a somewhat "watershed" foreward-looking statement by the company: we won't ever see those lows again.

OTOH, the "reverse split" will rarely come anywhere near close to doubling the price of the stock, and is generally a very bad idea because of that unless such a reverse split is necessary to stay listed. A reverse split is a company's vote of "no confidence" in it's stock's future. That is a very, very bad thing.

Completely off topic, but just wanted to correct the somewhat simplistic explanation of splits and reverse splits ...

[JohnGillilan]

what the hell !? Apple was rumored to buy Sony and this site is talking about iDVD updates ? :p


Sony used to be a top brand - but then tried to do TOO much. Vaio - bad call. Stick to audio/video products. That little robot dog thing - I hope someone got fired over that one...

Both of these made me laugh. That is all.

[rdowns]

voce cersa? coolnot fixing my typo



:D

[ThomasJefferson]

Great trend for the loyal faithful. Been a long time since we saw this.

[Chaszmyr]

Sweet, Apple stock just payed for my most recent Apple product :-P

[Grimace]

Sweet, Apple stock just payed for my most recent Apple product :-P

must have been an adaptor or cable....Apple's stock payoff rate has been pretty dismal...

[fluidinclusion]

This makes absolutely no sense. Stock prices from different companies can Never be equated. Splits, p/e ratios etc make individual share prices what they are. A higher stock price than MS means nothing. IBM's share price is close to 100. Oooooh, that's higher than Apple and Microsoft put together... NO! There is only one stock that has never split - talk to Warren Buffett about that - you need tens of thousands of dollars to buy ONE share.


If only I could talk to Warren Buffett about ANYTHING.

Actually, I do believe that share price matters. It matters psychologically to SOME people. It shouldn't, but it does. I'd much rather buy sub $1 stocks (make most of my money there), even though it "seems" to most people that the stocks are worthless. Well some of them are.

[blackfox]

reading this thread I have learned:
1. Quite a bit about the nature of stocks
2. That Apple stock is up
3. That Sony did, in fact, make that robotic dog (which I believe did well in some markets)
This leads me to believe that Apple will still be around when I buy my new machine in 6 months...and that is enough, I guess
Thanks all...

[fluidinclusion]

Sony used to be a top brand - but then tried to do TOO much. Vaio - bad call. Stick to audio/video products. That little robot dog thing - I hope someone got fired over that one...



But he was so cute:)

[fluidinclusion]

That's irrelevent. While MSFT is lower than than AAPL, this means squat. I'm sure that MSFT has split more often the Apple has, mean that if a person who invested 1000 in both Apple and MS when they had their IPO, the Microsoft shares would be worth a lot more than the 1000 Apple shares. If microsoft was concerned about its dipping stock price it could always do a reverese split(extremely rare), at which point MSFT share prices would double.

Think before you comment.


Well, I did think before I commented. I have had several of my stocks do reverse splits. Especially the really ****ty ones run by corrupt bastards. Canadian gold stocks are notorious for this. One I had did a 1:10 then a 1:20. Too bad too, I had a $7500 profit on a $500 initial investment. Should have sold when I had the chance.

[pimentoLoaf]

I read somewhere a few years ago (circa 2001) that Sony was going to buy Apple, and that article stated that Sony is always rumored on financial boards to be in the market for Apple.

It's just someone who's anti-Apple hoping it'll be done away with.

[jeffgarden]

Does anyone know how that would work ? If Sony bought Apple that is...
i'm guessing since THAT rumor isn't on macrumors that it's something that's always been around. So do they want to do like what HP does with Compaq ? Where they still use both names and it's just one company ?

[davetrow1997]

Ah, sounds like Wall Street in here. Key the line from Michael Douglas: Greed is Good. So many murders and aquisitions going on again, it's starting to look a lot like the roaring 80's and er.. 90's and er.. well, M&As always come and go in fits and starts. Looks like we're in for a slew of others. Although exciting, always fraught with danger (Reference TW-AOL). Key worries are mission drift of a successful company, meddling of Big Brother company in acquisition's affairs... Perhaps shortsighted, but why jinx Apple's current winning streak.

And as for all you stock-owning capitalist moneymongerers... all I need is my typewriter, a 10'x10' cabin in the Minnesota woods, and a soapbox. Down with capitalism, free trade, the IMF, and the WTO!! Everyone should die poor, happy and stockless. Fight on, comrades...

(I'm just trying to get people to dump their AAPL shares so's I can buy cheap and sell high.) Go AAPL!

[tmornini]

It mentions "Sony buyout rumor" as in the rumor is that Sony will buy Apple, not the other way around. The stock that is being bought is the one that climbs since it suddenly becomes "in demand".

Sony is a 38 billion dollar company, Apple is a 10 billion dollar company. Does it sound like Apple could buy Sony?

I don't believe for a minute that Apple is going to buy Sony.

I'm not suggesting that it's a good idea either...but everyone saying that it (as well as Apple buying Disney) is *impossible* (particularly the ones saying it as though they are superior thinkers) due to relative valuations live in small boxes!

LBO?

Sometimes, a minnow *can* swallow a whale. Particularly when the minnow has a lot of cash, the whale has a lot of profits, and interest rates are low.

How?

The minnow finances the acquisition with the whale's profits.

[vpalvarez]

It is very likely that Apple will buy parts of Sony. Why? Well Sony has an enormous amount of assets that could be extremely valuable to Apple, i.e. factories to make devices, contracts with manufacturers, and most importantly intellectual capitol. Apple could use these to futher development and production of there current, and future, iPod line. Or... use Sony's industry leading know how, regarding video processing, for a Video iPod that seems to be popping up in message boards everywhere.

How is it that this can happen, well while it is true that Apple is worth $10 Billion, it carries more wieght than that. Especially now that it is debt free and has a credit rating that most of us would kill for. Apple can use that to buy small peices of Sony, since people would be more willing to lend Apple money to do so, especially if Apple can deliver (like 70% market share in new market segments). Jobs would have alot to gain from Sony's media companies, since he severed ties with Disney. With all mentioned I can imagine Apple/Pixar bringing alot to the table for a troubled Sony Corp. Sony would be more than happy to partner with Apple, which would be better for the both of them. If it turns out to be a partnership then Sony gets to ride the coattails of Apple, and Apple would not have to worry about supporting an all new company under its belt. And if things go astray than Apple can dump Sony with no committment. The same way that GM will probably do with FIAT.

"of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.."

[sethypoo]

That's irrelevent. While MSFT is lower than than AAPL, this means squat. I'm sure that MSFT has split more often the Apple has, mean that if a person who invested 1000 in both Apple and MS when they had their IPO, the Microsoft shares would be worth a lot more than the 1000 Apple shares. If microsoft was concerned about its dipping stock price it could always do a reverese split(extremely rare), at which point MSFT share prices would double.

Think before you comment.

Likewise.

You don't seem to realize that I am only being elated because their stock went up temporarily. I AM NOT saying that Apple has more money in the bank than MSFT, or that, due to splits, Apple stock is worth more. I am only expressing happiness because I like seeing Apple "win" in a kinda-sorta way.

Understand?

[macmx]

Apple PlayStation 3 anyone?? :D

[silvergunuk]

Apple PlayStation 3 anyone?? :D

Apple PS3?!?!? good god hope not, the last thing we want is a nicely designed machine with really crap games, out of date hardware and bad dvd playing capabilities.

[rdowns]

Apple PS3?!?!? good god hope not, the last thing we want is a nicely designed machine with really crap games, out of date hardware and bad dvd playing capabilities.

For a moment, I thought you were referring to their consumer line on computers.

[CmdrLaForge]

Hi,

I have not read thru the entire thread so I hope this is not a double post - if so sorry. I guess the interesting figures concerning aapl and msft are:
Apple Mkt Cap (mil) : $9,886.58
MSFT Mkt Cap (mil) : $284,432.27
from quicken.com as of march 5th and the chart I attached.
Cheers

[SaFFiRe]

hrm...

www.applesony.com

[Bigheadache]

hrm...

www.applesony.com

Coming Soon is spelt wrong. Thats really professional....

[gopher]

hrm...

www.applesony.com
Checking server [whois.crsnic.net]
Checking server [whois.godaddy.com]
Results:
The data contained in Go Daddy Software, Inc.'s WhoIs database,
while believed by the company to be reliable, is provided "as is"
with no guarantee or warranties regarding its accuracy. This
information is provided for the sole purpose of assisting you
in obtaining information about domain name registration records.
Any use of this data for any other purpose is expressly forbidden without the prior written
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you agree to these terms of usage and limitations of warranty. In particular,
you agree not to use this data to allow, enable, or otherwise make possible,
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and solicitations of any kind, including spam. You further agree
not to use this data to enable high volume, automated or robotic electronic
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including mining this data for your own personal or commercial purposes.

Please note: the registrant of the domain name is specified
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is not the registrant of domain names listed in this database.


Registrant:
jongho choi
525 Glen Ave.
Palisades Park, New Jersey 07650
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: APPLESONY.COM
Created on: 28-Oct-03
Expires on: 28-Oct-04
Last Updated on: 29-Oct-03

Administrative Contact:
choi, jongho jongho@bellatlantic.net
525 Glen Ave.
Palisades Park, New Jersey 07650
United States
2019477867 Fax --
Technical Contact:
choi, jongho jongho@bellatlantic.net
525 Glen Ave.
Palisades Park, New Jersey 07650
United States
2019477867 Fax --

Domain servers in listed order:
NS1.TERRAKING.COM
NS2.TERRAKING.COM

Apple in New Jersey? I don't think so. Neither is Sony.

[gopher]

Coming Soon is spelt wrong. Thats really professional....

Right you are, but remember you didn't spell "That's" correctly either.

[wdlove]

reading this thread I have learned:
1. Quite a bit about the nature of stocks
2. That Apple stock is up
3. That Sony did, in fact, make that robotic dog (which I believe did well in some markets)
This leads me to believe that Apple will still be around when I buy my new machine in 6 months...and that is enough, I guess
Thanks all...

The most important thing is that Apple Stocks is up! ;)

Yes, Apple will be around in six months and long into the future. The race goes to the slow and steady.

[Mord]

That would be interesting. I would like to see SONY and Apple work together.

wasn't the pb 100 just a sony clone with an apple sticker on it (I have one)

[ralphh]

Likewise.

You don't seem to realize that I am only being elated because their stock went up temporarily. I AM NOT saying that Apple has more money in the bank than MSFT, or that, due to splits, Apple stock is worth more. I am only expressing happiness because I like seeing Apple "win" in a kinda-sorta way.

Understand?

I understand, and I'm sure a lot of other forum readers do.

But certain people never will, Seth, no matter how many times you explain. :)

[sethypoo]

I understand, and I'm sure a lot of other forum readers do.

But certain people never will, Seth, no matter how many times you explain. :)

Thanks for the kind word.

I know not everyone will always understand, but I needed to at least have one post fully explaining myself.

I wish I had myself some Apple stock. :)

[rdowns]

Right you are, but remember you didn't spell "That's" correctly either.

Not to mention "spelt".

[michaelb]

wasn't the pb 100 just a sony clone with an apple sticker on it (I have one)

My father has one too, from about December 1991. Amazingly it stills works, though it needs to be run from the mains as the battery has long since departed. The PB 100 is quite a quaint little thing by today's standards, with a whopping 20 MB (megabytes!) of hard drive space and 4 MB of RAM.

It wasn't a Sony clone, it was made in a Sony factory on contract from Apple, just as the Taiwanese manufacturers like Quanta make Apple's PowerBooks today. Sony at the time hadn't even begun to market its own computers.

[nuclearwinter]

too bad all this good progress will be wasted in only a few really bad decisions in the near future... such is the fate of apple. this sucks... now i'm depressed... :(

[bousozoku]

Not to mention "spelt".

There is nothing wrong with the spelling of spelt merely because you don't recognise the correct form. :D

Will we see Apple at $75 per share ever again? I would certainly hope they gain interest again.

[topicolo]

too bad all this good progress will be wasted in only a few really bad decisions in the near future... such is the fate of apple. this sucks... now i'm depressed... :(

Wow... such optimism! I'm sure apple will continue to be profitable in their niches. they may even get a break and grab a bunch of marketshare once the xbox2 comes out and ibm reduces prices on their G5s due to volume.

[ryanw]

Stock purchases by executives are also visible in public record of a company so anyone can watch their moves.

View insider trades at: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=AAPL

Compare that to MSFT insider trades.
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=MSFT

AAPL hadn't had any insider trades in the last 6 months

MSFT has had 29,144,000 shares sold in 46 transactions.

[ibjoshua]

Sony at the time hadn't even begun to market its own computers.

That's right. I think the first Vaio was a desktop and (I think) it was in 1996. I had a boss that was lusting after one.

ibjoshua

[sethypoo]

Compare that to MSFT insider trades.
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=MSFT

AAPL hadn't had any insider trades in the last 6 months

MSFT has had 29,144,000 shares sold in 46 transactions.

That's a really good point. I hadn't thought of that.

Of course, a lot of people on this thread think I haven't really thought of anything. ;)

[uberman42]

I'm sure that Sony would want to keep Steve -- my point was that I doubted that Steve wants to work for Sony (or anyone). I also think that an organization like Sony would be crazy to want Steve as an underling -- he doesn't "play well with others". (And, for that matter, ask Gil Amelio about the dangers management faces when buying a Steve-run company.)

Trust me- Sony has a bunch of Steve's...but we need more of them here. it's a mess in management. Decisiveness is missing in certain areas. I would love Steve as our CEO.

[Tulse]

Trust me- Sony has a bunch of Steve's...but we need more of them here. it's a mess in management. Decisiveness is missing in certain areas. I would love Steve as our CEO.

I somehow think that Sony's CEO might have a different view.

[Uragon]

YOu got to love the feeling you get from seeing APPL stock clime so quickly. Everything has been so positive for Apple lately.....I hope it continues, God knows they deserve it.


I like the way you put it, and completely agree with you.

[weave]

If Apple and MS have similarly priced individual stocks, you can bet the farm that there are many many many times more MS stock on the market.

Apple's (AAPL) market cap is around 10 billion. Microsoft (MSFT) market cap is 284 billion. Far from similar.

At least it beats SCO (SCOX) whose market cap is like 160 million.

[pimentoLoaf]

But SCO is involved with some rather nasty dealings (http://www.groklaw.net) of late. Neither Apple or Sony is.

[PrincipeAzzuro]

The iPod mini, which comes in five different colors, has been particularly popular with women, teenagers and fitness-minded people because of its small size and multihued offerings. It has reportedly been selling out quickly in some retail locations.

"The word of mouth on this product is very strong," said Tim Bajarin, an analyst at Creative Strategies, who noted that he has so far spoken to 10 Apple dealers so far about the reaction to the iPod mini. "Customers are literally coming in (to the store) and they know exactly what color they want."

Shares of Apple rose $1.58, or 6.3 percent, to $26.74 on Nasdaq, in trading of 27.5 million shares, more than five times its three-month daily average. The stock has climbed 25 percent so far this year. Earlier, the shares rose as high as $27.49.

Apple spokesman Steve Dowling declined to comment.

On its Web site, Cupertino, California-based Apple says that after ordering an iPod mini, customers would need to wait one to three weeks for it to arrive.

Since their introduction in 2001, Apple has sold more than 2 million of the digital music players, which use small computer hard disk drives to store digital music, as opposed to flash-memory-based, smaller capacity players made by other manufacturers.

Also earlier this week, Merrill Lynch analyst Steve Milunovich wrote favorably of the iPod in a research report, estimating that it could bring in $1 billion in revenue this year, adding 15 cents per share to its earnings.

Chief Executive and founder Steve Jobs has proved time and again that he has a keen eye for noting technology trends among consumers and capitalizing on them, analysts said.

"Steve really understands what the pulse of the consumer market is, and he's got a strategy to go after that with an Apple brand," Bajarin said, noting that that's precisely why a Sony bid for Apple would make no sense.

"To me, that's the last thing he'd want to do is get mixed up with Sony," Bajarin said. "They are (Sony and Apple) just diametrically opposed to how they would run the business."

[BornAgainMac]

"Introducing the Powerbook Vaio."

I think I am going to be sick.

[fluidinclusion]

That's a really good point. I hadn't thought of that.

Of course, a lot of people on this thread think I haven't really thought of anything. ;)

Touché LOL

[Wonder Boy]

at one point i saw the stock was at 27$. too bad it didnt stay that high.

[niji]

here is what will happen:

- sony and apple will form a strategic alliance
- sony will design/manufacture digital lifestyle appliances for apple
- sony will invest a significant chunck of cash into apple, but not have anywhere near controlling interest
- iTunes Store music business be handled by Sony they are in the music business already

Clues:
- Does anybody remember the announcment a few days ago that was retracted the next day: Sony was going to do its own new mp3 player, then suddenly it was retracted...
- Sony has announced that it wants to get into the on-line music business...
- what does apple need most: more more lifestyle devices that run its operating system and its design vision.
- recently it was revealed that both companies are looking for ways to co-operate with each other in more areas

Share price will be enhanced; and distribution will be gained.

[Bigheadache]

here is what will happen:

- sony and apple will form a strategic alliance
- sony will design/manufacture digital lifestyle appliances for apple
- sony will invest a significant chunck of cash into apple, but not have anywhere near controlling interest
- iTunes Store music business be handled by Sony they are in the music business already

Clues:
- Does anybody remember the announcment a few days ago that was retracted the next day: Sony was going to do its own new mp3 player, then suddenly it was retracted...
- Sony has announced that it wants to get into the on-line music business...
- what does apple need most: more more lifestyle devices that run its operating system and its design vision.
- recently it was revealed that both companies are looking for ways to co-operate with each other in more areas

Share price will be enhanced; and distribution will be gained.

- I can't see the logic in this. Sony would probably sell enough "digital lifestyle" appliances under their own branding. Why do they need to sell them under the Apple brand? (especially in non-US markets where the Apple brand doesn't mean anything)
- Steve Jobs would never work in a bureaucracy like Sony and would probably end up walking.
- I hope all your favourite music is published by Sony Music. IF Sony ran iTunes Store not many other publishers would get a look in.

[splashman]

- I can't see the logic in this. Sony would probably sell enough "digital lifestyle" appliances under their own branding. Why do they need to sell them under the Apple brand? (especially in non-US markets where the Apple brand doesn't mean anything)
- Steve Jobs would never work in a bureaucracy like Sony and would probably end up walking.
- I hope all your favourite music is published by Sony Music. IF Sony ran iTunes Store not many other publishers would get a look in.

Agreed. Now, if Steve CASE were involved, you could bank on a pointless merger, but Steve JOBS is too smart to tie himself to a run-of-the-mill mega-conglomerate.

[macghost]

Smaller companies buy out larger companies. Some ways include selling off pieces to others (Sony Pictures could go, Pixar could be involved). I bet there are many Sony competitors who would be interested in buying a piece of them.

That said, I doubt Apple will ever buy Sony or voce cersa.

interesting idea. It could be possible to do a multiparty deal...

combine the cash forces of Pixar, Apple, and the recently Eisner free Disney in a deal that sees Apple with the Sony consumer electronics division (inclusive of PCs), and Disney-Pixar getting Sony media en toto possibly even splitting the song catalog with Apple.

But that is just idle thinking..

However it does tickle me to think of Sony buying Apple and leaving Steve in charge. Can you say "palace coup"? Steve takes over the zaibatsu and its team of corporate ninjas....they pay a visit to a large home in Medina Wa....

[aswitcher]

However it does tickle me to think of Sony buying Apple and leaving Steve in charge. Can you say "palace coup"? Steve takes over the zaibatsu and its team of corporate ninjas....they pay a visit to a large home in Medina Wa....

No, can't see that scenario. I don't think Steve can be more than a figure head for Sony, its too big and too Japanese. I think Apple could suffer from Sonyfying

[Bigheadache]

No, can't see that scenario. I don't think Steve can be more than a figure head for Sony, its too big and too Japanese. I think Apple could suffer from Sonyfying

I agree. I have read this entire thread and I still don't understand where people are seeing Apple and Sony as a good fit. Sony don't NEED Apple (they may like them), its not a pure fit with their core competencies of media and consumer electronics, and Apple would be a very expensive buy anyway just to get access to "digital lifestyle" devices and iTunes. Besides that Jobs would walk away from Apple, I've always seen him as a very driven personality and I can't see him giving up control and working within such a large bureaucracy.

[macghost]

No, can't see that scenario. I don't think Steve can be more than a figure head for Sony, its too big and too Japanese. I think Apple could suffer from Sonyfying

uhhhh... that was a joke

[aswitcher]

uhhhh... that was a joke

Well spotted newbie ;) Yes, due to rampant speculation about why Apple shares are going up with the unlikely threat of a take over by a company that I feel would only do very bad things for the Apple line, coupled with my continued sadness at not seeing my new G5 PowerBook available for purchase, I am in a permanent state of poor humour... :(