APPLE INC. $451 - Nasdaq symbol AAPL

APPLE INC. $451 (Nasdaq symbol AAPL; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 939.1 million; Market cap: $423.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.6; Dividend yield: 2.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.apple.com) is down 36% from its all-time high of $705.07 in September 2012.

Thanks to the huge success of the iPhone and iPad, as well as the star power of the late Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder and CEO, the company became a media and broker favourite. However, increasing competition from devices powered by Google’s Android software have hurt Apple’s appeal.

The company still has a loyal customer base and will probably use some of its $137.1 billion in cash and investments to increase is dividend and buy back shares. Even so, the stock will continue to have trouble living up to investors’high expectations.

Apple is still a hold.

A professional investment analyst for more than 30 years, Pat has developed a stock-selection technique that has proven reliable in both bull and bear markets. His proprietary ValuVesting System™ focuses on stocks that provide exceptional quality at relatively low prices. Many savvy investors and industry leaders consider it the most powerful stock-picking method ever created.