Financial Analysis of Apple, Inc.

Company Background

Apple, Inc. (formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc.) was incorporated in the State of California in 1977. Apple currently designs, manufactures, and markets a variety of computer and personal electronic products, including Macintosh computers, and the iPod digital music player. AppleХs key markets are consumers, creative professionals, educational institutions, and business users.

For nearly twenty years, Apple computers have been the industry standard for creative industries such as publishing, advertising, digital music and video editing, and graphic design. Apple computer and peripheral products include Macbook and Macbook Pro laptops, iMac and Mac Pro desktops, as well a line of flat-panel displays and the Macintosh OS X operating system. Apple is currently the only company manufacturing computers that use the OS X operating system. Apple currently manufactures several high-priced software products aimed at the professional user, including the Logic line of digital audio production software, and Final Cut Pro video editing software.

Apple is the market leader in portable digital music players with their line of iPod products. Apple is also a leader in third-party digital content sales with the iTunes store, which seamlessly integrates with iTunes software and iPod hardware.

In June of 2007, Apple released its newest product, the iPhone. The iPhone combines a wireless phone with digital music and wireless Internet capabilities. The iPhone is probably the fastest selling new product in the history of Apple, with sales estimates of the $600 phone as high as 700,000 (Goldman Sachs) units during the first weekend after its launch. AT&T Wireless is the sole service provider for the iPhone, and Apple reportedly gets a share of iPhone service revenues.

Apple sells its products worldwide through a variety of channels. In addition to selling itХs products directly to consumers thru their website, Apple utilizes third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. Apple also runs a retail division, with 165 retails stores in operation at the end of FY2006.

Key Financial Ratios FY2006

Valuation Ratios

Company Industry Sector S&P 500

P/E Ratio 43.70 36.50 30.02 20.73

Beta 1.22 1.38 1.66 1.00

Financial Strength

Quick Ratio (MRQ) 2.88 2.29 2.68 1.29

Current Ratio (MRQ) 2.92 2.75 3.23 1.82

LT Debt to Equity 0.00 0.04 0.21 0.51

Total Debt to Equity (MRQ) 0.00 0.05 0.25 0.77

Interest Coverage (TTM) NM 4.74 14.09 13.53

Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin (TTM) 31.53 27.63 51.84 44.54

Net Profit Margin (TTM) 12.92 8.46 14.43 13.75

Management Effectiveness

Return On Assets (TTM) 17.09 12.40 11.10 8.28

Return On Investment (TTM) 24.58 25.43 15.54 12.25

Return On Equity (TTM) 26.63 36.92 20.34 20.63

Receivable Turnover (TTM) 24.13 14.20 8.17 10.40

Inventory Turnover (TTM) 71.75 58.61 12.85 12.08

Source: Reuters

TTM: Trailing Twelve Month

MRQ: Most Recent Quarter

Financial Ratio Analysis

Valuation and Financial Strength Ratios

Apple, Inc. currently has a Price-to-Earnings ratio of 43.70, compared to the industry standard of 36.50, and the S&P 500 average of 20.73. This indicates that Apple has a lower amount of risk than other firms in the computer manufacturing industry and other firms in the S&P 500. A high P/E ratio indicates low risk and high growth prospects, and Apple is outperforming the average firm in this aspect.

AppleХs current ratio for the most recent quarter is 2.92, which is higher than the industry standard, and over double the S&P 500 average. This means that Apple has enough assets that can be converted