Apple Hoards $15B—Why?

Farhad Manjoo thinks Apple still has nowhere to go but up

(NEWSER) - You might think that with its stock north of $500 a share, after rising 30% in six months, that Apple has peaked financially. But you'd be wrong, writes Farhad Manjoo of Slate . Apple's price-earnings ratio is still a humble 14—cheaper even than Google, Amazon, and even beleaguered Yahoo. And "not only is Apple not peaking, it is likely not even close to reaching its potential earnings," which are almost too vast for investors to comprehend. "The numbers are just too big." More»

Shift illustrates tech industry's move away from PCs

(NEWSER) - Microsoft, once the world’s most valuable tech company, has now fallen to third place. IBM surpassed Microsoft yesterday to take the second-place spot, as its market value rose to $214 billion and Microsoft’s fell to $213.2 billion. It marked the first time IBM’s closing prices exceeded Microsoft’s since 1996, Bloomberg reports. The new rankings illustrate the industry’s shift away from the personal computer: IBM sold its PC business six years ago and now focuses on software and services for the government and corporations; Apple, of course, surged past Microsoft to claim the No. 1 spot last year thanks to its iPhones, iPods, and iPads. More»

From the improbable to the top secret, it takes all kinds

(NEWSER) - The Business Insider figures you've also wanted to know how your favorite high tech concern got its name. Well, you're in luck! Here goes:

1. SUN Microsystems: It's actually an acronym for Stanford University Network, the school where the founders met.
2. Cisco: Actually not an acronym, as often assumed. It's just San Francisco without the San Fran, which is why the "c" was not capitalized originally.

Heady '90s excesses are more isolated; domino effect less likely

(NEWSER) - Today’s Silicon Valley upstarts are enjoying heady times, but without the excess and risk of their late-'90s counterparts, reports the Wall Street Journal. Sophisticated venture capitalists generally bear the risk involved in the next tech crash, and fewer and less volatile IPOs this time around mean small investors are safer. More»

MarketWatch columnist has bad news for investors

(NEWSER) - Facebook shares are trading well south of the $38 IPO price, prompting Mark Hulbert of MarketWatch to wonder what the true price should be. Facebook investors might want to shield their eyes from his answer: $13.80. He derives the figure in part with the help of a new study that calculates projected revenue growth for an average company after its IPO. Optimists, of course, can argue that Facebook is no "average" company and could increase its revenue and profitability lickety-split. More»