This is dated (old)
Apple's Meaningless Move
By Tim Beyers
February 14, 2005
You'd think that on Valentine's Day I'd have nothing but candy and roses for all of my favorite stocks. Like Apple Computer (Nasdaq: AAPL), for instance. The Mac maker earns a spot on the list for a bushel of reasons. First, its products -- from the new Mini Mac to the wildly popular iPod -- are selling like crazy. Second, the company has a pristine balance sheet highlighted by $6 billion in cash. And finally, I use the products. Yep, that's right, I lug my PowerBook just about everywhere. (Indeed, I'm writing from a condo in the ski resort town of Steamboat Springs, Colo., at the moment.)
The truth is that I'm so enamored with Apple that I claimed it deserved a spot among our coveted list of Rule Breakers. And that's why I feel more than justified to deliver a dose of tough love when needed. You know, like now.
In a press release issued Friday, Apple announced it will split its stock 2-for-1. Shareholders of record on Feb. 18 will get an extra stub for each one they already own. Total shares authorized will rise from 900 million to 1.8 billion. The stock will start trading on a split-adjusted basis on Feb. 25.
It's a meaningless move, really. A stock split won't alter the overall value of the company. It will just create more shares and cut the per-share entry price for potential new owners in half. Oh, and by the way, the claim on Apple's earnings and cash flow for these same owners will also be -- yep, that's right -- half the size of those who hold stock as I write this.
Frankly, the split really doesn't deserve the amount of digital ink I've spilled here. But the Fool in me feels duty-bound to call shenanigans. That's because I'm seeing really smart people, including journalists, analysts, and even our own Community members lauding the split. Why? Because people generally like to own a few more shares, and they like lower per-share buy-in prices. Don't get suckered in. A split is absolutely never a reason to buy a stock. If you like Apple's stock as it is right now, buy it. If not, ignore it. Feb. 25 won't change a thing. At least, nothing that's even the least bit important.
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