The BusinessWeek 50 Ranking
14
Apple Computer
There's no longer any doubt that Steve Jobs has completed Apple's return to glory. Thanks to runaway sales of the iPod music player, Apple increased its already dominant share of the fast-growing digital music business in 2004. Earnings nearly quadrupled, and Apple's stock soared 275.1% through Feb. 28. Market share is expected to rise for the Mac computer as well, particularly if Apple expands distribution to hawk products such as its low-cost Mac mini. Investors are clearly betting that Cupertino (Calif.)-based Apple is positioned to put its stamp on many new digital markets.
Company Info
| 2004 Rank | 207 |
| STOCK INFO | AAPL |
| Market Value | $36.3 BILLION |
| Total Return | (1-yr.) 275.1%
(3-yr.) 313.5% |
| 2004 sales | $9.8 BILLION |
| Sales Growth | (1-yr.) 45%
(3-yr.) 19.0% |
| Net income | $508 MILLION |
| Net Income Growth | (1-yr.) 271%
(3-yr.) 57.7% |
| Net Margin* | 5.2% |
| Return on Equity* | 8.8% |
| Industry | TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT |
| CORPORATE WEB SITE | |
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*Trailing 12 months
Company data as of 2/28/05 provided by Standard & Poor's Compustat
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Company Snapshot
Apple Computer, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of personal computers and related software, services, peripherals, and networking solutions. It also designs, develops, and markets a line of portable digital music players along with related accessories and services, including the online distribution of third-party music and audio books. The company's products and services include the Macintosh line of desktop and notebook computers; the Power Mac line of desktop personal computers; the iPod digital music player; the Xserve server; Xserve RAID storage products, a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications; the Mac OS X operating system; the online iTunes Music Store, a portfolio of peripherals that support the Macintosh and iPod product lines; PowerSchool software product, a Web-based student information system for K-12 schools and school districts; and a variety of other service and support offerings. It also offers various associated Apple-branded computer hardware peripherals, including iSight digital video cameras, and a range of flat panel TFT active-matrix digital color displays. In addition, the company sells a variety of third-party products, including computer printers and printing supplies, storage devices, computer memory, digital video and still cameras, personal digital assistants, iPod accessories, and various other computing products and supplies. The company offers its products to education, consumer, creative professional, business, and government customers. Apple Computer sells its products through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, as well as through third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value added resellers. The company operated 84 retail open stores, as of September 25, 2004. These stores sell hardware, software, and peripheral products, as well as a variety of third-party hardware and software products. Apple Computer, Inc. was founded in 1976 by Mr. Steven P. Jobs and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.
No. of Employees
11,695
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