14 DAY TRIAL // Apple's stock is on the rise again, and although the company only recently passed $160 per share, some analysts are already predicting numbers in the two hundred range. Now, more than ever, people are wondering if there will be another stock split, but the company is giving no hint of their intentions.
Apple's stock pushed past the $160 mark on Friday, but already analysts are looking at the future and expecting continued growth. The company is set to announce the results of the fourth quarter at the end of the month and it is expected to have done very well for itself. Growing Mac and iPhone sales as well as the revamped iPod lineup, especially the iPod touch, are expected to have pushed the company's revenue a long way. For the next quarter things are looking even better, with Leopard driving sales of new Macs and all the customers who had been waiting out for it finally getting new machines. Likewise, the European and Japanese launch of the iPhone will further expand the handset's market and bring in even more money from the contracts with the carriers. All things considered, Apple passing Intel and IMB in market value and stocks hitting the $200 mark seems to only be a matter of time. If the rumored new Apple TV, MacBook nano and Mac nano also turn out to be true, the company could see an even faster rate of growth.
But despite all this, a stock split does not seem to be in the cards. Apple has been letting the stock grow for quite some time and it had ample opportunity for splits over the past two years, but never made the move. Some speculate that, much like Google, the Cupertino Company is letting the stock grow as much as it will as a sign of its well being. This also has the side effect of deterring amateur investors which are much more likely to react to rumors and speculation. Considering the fact that Apple's stock fluctuates wildly based on even the smallest of rumors, this could help the company avoid situations where the stock would drop dramatically because of deceptive reporting.