After hitting $605 in pre-market, and halting at $599.32, we see AAPL reopened at $580 -down from Friday's close. Volume is relatively low, so we can assume AAPL is not buying its stock just yet. More importantly, could this be the start of rotation from hedge funds to dividend funds? Those who wish to join the Apple call can do so at (877) 616-0063, passcode: 592016. As a reminder, and as updated on the call, of APPL's $98 billion in cash, $64 billion is offshore - this means that $34 billion is available for immediate distribution and so to cover the $45 billion program, we assume some healthy repatriation will occur? In this context, Apple admits it has has spoken to Congress and the administration about tax issues relating to cash repatriation. One can imagine the plot layout.
[3]
As the call began, AAPL had inched back up to $592
[4]