[interestrateripoff]

http://www.guardian....re-price-google

Quote

The world's insatiable appetite for all things Apple appears to be reaching new levels. Silicon Valley's hottest company could soon become the world's first trillion-dollar company, according to Wall Street analysts.

This week analyst Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets sparked a media frenzy with his headline-grabbing prediction that Apple's already sky-high share price will touch $1,000 within 12 months. Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster countered with an ever so slightly less bullish case that Apple's share price would hit four figures by 2014.

The technology group achieved another milestone on Thursday as Apple's stock price rose above Google's for the first time. Steve Jobs, Apple's late co-founder, is rumoured to have decided against splitting Apple's stock in order to one day pass Google's share price.

But for all the hoopla, the leap to $1,000 would be a big hike for a company that has already enjoyed a record run on the stock exchange.

Last week Apple's shares were worth $633.38 each – slightly more than a mid-range iPad. A year ago they were changing hands at $341. At its current price Apple is valued at $590.82bn (£372bn), making it the most valuable company in the world.

Does Uncle Ben have an app for that?

Apple sounds like one massive bubble.

Why the ramp for Apple?

[Zanu Bob]

the only issue is when you time your short.

[easy2012]

Zanu Bob, on 07 April 2012 - 07:28 PM, said:

the only issue is when you time your short.

No, the issue is to find easier target then AAPL..

[Gone to Ireland.]

Can't wait for this bubble to burst.

Like I tell everyone I work with. Apple is a fashion accessory and it will go out of fashion quickly.

My money is on Google.

[ader]

I have AAPL shares in my SIPP. I could sell them but what would I buy instead? I just can't see a reason for the shares to fall much for long. Mind you I'd be well up even if the share price fell by 75%

Their markets are growing their customer base is solid and won't move platforms now they have experienced quality and have so much invested in Apple kit and sw (apps) and frankly there is zero competition imho.

[petetong]

khards, on 07 April 2012 - 07:57 PM, said:

Can't wait for this bubble to burst.

Like I tell everyone I work with. Apple is a fashion accessory and it will go out of fashion quickly.

My money is on Google.

What have Google produced ? A search engine, a browser, a mobile JVM/SDK. How many projects have they started and then binned, bet Google Plus goes the same way. It looks to me that they are struggling to diversify from search. My money is on Apple: OSX, iPhone,iPad,iPod, Safari, etc ...

[The Masked Tulip]

A female friend of mine who has had all the iphones up until the recent one - her last one fell in the sea and died - has been adamant for 3 months now that she will replace her dead iphone with the new one.

Went with her today to the mobo shop and she got to see Samsungs and HTCs alongside the new iphone.

When we walked into the shop she was determined to have an iphone - after 30 minutes of checking out and comparing the others she realised that the iphone was in third place behind the other two. She is going to buy a Samsung now.

[easy2012]

The Masked Tulip, on 07 April 2012 - 08:37 PM, said:

A female friend of mine who has had all the iphones up until the recent one - her last one fell in the sea and died - has been adamant for 3 months now that she will replace her dead iphone with the new one.

Went with her today to the mobo shop and she got to see Samsungs and HTCs alongside the new iphone.

When we walked into the shop she was determined to have an iphone - after 30 minutes of checking out and comparing the others she realised that the iphone was in third place behind the other two. She is going to buy a Samsung now.

You wonder why AAPL is busy suing SAMSUNG nowadays..

[Bear Goggles]

I bought one Apple share in 2002 when they were about $12 per share, just for a laugh really, everyone said I was an Apple fanboy and I was banging on about how tech was going to bounce back after the dotcom crash (remember that?) so I was challenged to put my money where my mouth was. I didn't have much money back then, and I didn't know much about shares. I actually overpaid, because it was bought through one of those 'buy one share' places where they send it to you through the post in a frame! I could now apparently buy an iPad with it!

Anyway, I obviously wished I'd bought more than I did, just like I wish I'd bought more gold than I have. The experience did help me get into investing, and to realise I should trust my instincts. What I actually did was invest in my own tech company, which has already paid better dividends to me than Apple*.

*Apple don't pay dividends, and I now get the latest Apple gear through work (and dividends).

[Bear Goggles]

easy2012, on 07 April 2012 - 09:13 PM, said:

You wonder why AAPL is busy suing SAMSUNG nowadays..

Samsung now have the potential to start being able to steer and manipulate Google through its domination of the hardware Andriod users are choosing to use, it's like Microsoft and IBM in reverse.

It's difficult to remember, but Microsoft was cool once too.

Don't be evil

[MongerOfDoom]

petetong, on 07 April 2012 - 08:37 PM, said:

What have Google produced ? A search engine, a browser, a mobile JVM/SDK. How many projects have they started and then binned, bet Google Plus goes the same way. It looks to me that they are struggling to diversify from search. My money is on Apple: OSX, iPhone,iPad,iPod, Safari, etc ...

Would you rather be a) without Google, or without Apple?

If it was not for Google, we might still all be using Altavista or Yahoo. There would be fewer billions spent on useful research such as their self driving car. We would not have a free OS for mobile devices, so it would be a choice between getting screwed by RIM, Apple, or possibly some of the now dead other contenders. Admittedly, we might have some more privacy.

Maybe someone else can explain what is so great about having Apple around. Their iOS products now have cheaper alternatives that are also more useful because they do not come with bundled abuse and contempt. You end up owning the competing hardware, so it will do whatever you tell it to as opposed to whatever Apple approves of. There is no Apple tax on the apps and in-app purchases. You can probably run Flash (if you should want to) or an interpreter for any other language you like.

I guess you cannot really beat the argument that Apple must be doing something better because their market cap is larger. But then I expect no-one would make that argument on a site devoted to discussing how the housing market can be grotesquely wrong for the best part of a decade :-)

['Bart']

The Masked Tulip, on 07 April 2012 - 08:37 PM, said:

When we walked into the shop she was determined to have an iphone

['Bart']

Bear Goggles, on 07 April 2012 - 09:15 PM, said:

I bought one Apple share in 2002 when they were about $12 per share

Apple were staggering around the grave before Steve Jobs returned.

Aug. 6, 1997: Apple Rescued — by Microsoft

1997: Steve Jobs Was Wrong and Microsoft Saved Apple

The transformation in Apple's fortunes was entirely due to Steve Jobs. And he's gone now.

Expect a slow, steady decline in Apple's fortunes.

Oh we'll get the iPhone 7 with quintuple core processors and the iPad 5s with 3D VR icons. Faster, better specs. New, improved newness.

But the force that created new markets has gone.

By new markets I mean the smartphone and tablet markets we have today.

Yes, there were smartphones and tablets before then, but no sod bought 'em!

No one was busting a gut trying to come up with the "Palm OS Treo killer".

People weren't queuing up overnight to buy the Neoware Voyager.

Apple have been here before of course, 1985 to 1997 (by which time things had gotten so bad that Microsoft had to step in).

[StainlessSteelCat]

I wouldn't bet against Apple in the short term. I think they have another 2-5 years in them before a steady decline ensures. Essentially, they are (were with Jobs?) a large company with a start up mentality - and have been able to fight senescence that way.

Google is looking rather like a one trick pony although fair play to them for funding Android (does it make money for them yet?) The rot has already set in though. Too much of the new elements of their portfolio appeals mostly to techies rather than the average person. It's easy to see why - compare Pinterest with Plus. One is simple, easy to understand, very monetiseable and fun - the other is Google Plus.

[MrPin]

Hmm, I wish I had got Apple shares at the right time, like Forrest Gump!

Not sure how much further they can go?

Can't wait for the new iToilet, or whatever the next thing is?