Innovation Makes Apple a Buy

Article Excerpt

APPLE INC. $175 (Nasdaq symbol AAPL; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 885.9 million; Market cap: $155.0 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) makes computers and consumer electronic devices. Unlike other computer makers, Apple’s products use only the company’s own operating system (called Mac OS). That gives Apple more control over the final product. The company prefers to focus on design, and contracts out most of its manufacturing. Apple currently spends around 3% of its revenue of $34.25 a share on research. Music supplies nearly half of revenue Apple has strong history of innovative, easy-to-use products. A top example is the iPod music player. Launched in 2001, the iPod now has roughly 70% of the digital player market. The iPod (along with Apple’s iTunes music download service) accounts for around 45% of Apple’s total revenues. As well, the popularity of the iPod has helped spur sales of Apple’s Mac computers. Thanks largely to the huge success of the iPod, Apple’s revenue rose from…