Monday, March 19, 2012

Apple (AAPL) Announces Stock Dividend and Buyback Program

Uploaded by on Mar 19, 2012
Investors and analysts finally do not have to speculate about Apple's surplus of nearly $100 billion in cash. According to the New York Times, the tech giant announced Monday it would pay a stock dividend of $2.65 a share in the fourth quarter. The company board also authorized a $10 billion share buyback program to reward investors.

Apple issued a media alert on Sunday evening saying it planned to announce the long-awaited decision by its board about what to do with the large amount of cash. This allowed everyone from analysts to bloggers to speculate about what they would do with the money. Many on Wall Street called for the company to give some money back it its shareholders. Luckily, the company appeased the masses.

In a statement, Apple CEO, Tim Cook said, "We have used some of our cash to make great investments in our business through increased research and development, acquisitions, new retail store openings, strategic prepayments and capital expenditures in our supply chain, and building out our infrastructure. You'll see more of all of these in the future."

Apple halted trading on its stock on Monday. This is the first time the company has paid out a dividend to its shareholders since 1995.

USA - Massachusetts mother has been charged with attempted murder after firefighters responding to a blaze at her apartment

Published on Mar 19, 2012 by
A Massachusetts mother has been charged with attempted murder after firefighters responding to a blaze at her apartment found her two young children with their throats slashed. (March 19)

Britain - Telegraph reporter: fans 'willed Muamba to get up'

Uploaded by on Mar 19, 2012
The Telegraph's sport correspondent Jonathan Liew describes the atmosphere at
White Hart Lane after Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch.

What's In The News: March 19, 2012 GM (NYSE:GM) Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) Express Scripts' (NASDAQ:ESRX)

Uploaded by on Mar 19, 2012
This is what's in the news for Friday March 19, 2012. The Wall Street Journal reports GM (NYSE:GM) and PSA Peugeot Citroen (PINK:PEUGY) look to begin joint development of at least two passenger cars by this fall, says GM CEO Akerson. The Wall Street Journal also reports Venture capital for biotechnology has been in decline, due to the economy and poor returns from stock offerings. VC's invested $3.92B in 2011 vs. $6.17B in 2007, according to VentureSource. Reuters reports Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) informed the Iraqi government that it froze its exploration deal with the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region which angered Baghdad which it considers illegal. Bloomberg reports not since 1999 have currency traders been bullish on the dollar for so long, a sign that the market sees the U.S. resuming its role as the engine of global economic growth. Finally, Bloomberg also reports Express Scripts' (NASDAQ:ESRX) bid to acquire Medco Health Solutions (NYSE:MHS) and create the largest U.S. pharmacy-benefits manager may be delayed by a lawsuit being considered by five states