Chances are you already know Apple produces iconic, pioneering consumer technology spanning iPhones, Macbooks, Apple Watches and more. But how much does one share of Apple stock actually cost? And why does Apple‘s seemingly unfazed share price suddenly stumble during certain years?
If you‘ve wondered what drives the value behind the world‘s most valuable public company, you‘ve come to the right place. Let‘s embark on an insightful tour de force exploring everything from Apple‘s IPO to the company‘s dividend yields over 40+ years as a stock market titan.
Grab a cup of coffee and get comfortable as we unpack the method behind Apple‘s stock price madness!
How Did Apple Stock Start? A Quick History Lesson
While Apple stock seems like a no-brainer investment after the runaway success of the iPhone and iPad, the company‘s early days as a publicly-traded stock were quite rocky.
Founded in 1976 inside a California garage, Apple first went public on December 12, 1980 at an split-adjusted IPO price of just $0.10 per share – the equivalent to $2.72 per share in today‘s money.
Back then, Apple raised about $100 million valuing the fledgling company at $1.2 billion during its IPO – dwarfed by today‘s trillion-dollar standards!
So what prompted average investors to take a chance on this unknown fruit company?
In short – the promise of personal computing and Apple‘s radical vision to "put a dent in the universe." Though IBM dominated business sales, Apple distinguished itself by marketing user-friendly computers like the iconic Apple II to everyday consumers.
However, early Apple saw wild stock price swings under founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak…then fierce power struggles in the absence of a clear leader following Jobs‘ abrupt 1985 resignation.
Apple stock languished for over a decade without breakout products. Share prices plunged a split-adjusted low of *$3.19 per share on April 17, 2003 amidst dot-com bubble carnage and worries Apple couldn‘t reinvent itself.
But the market greatly underestimated Steve Jobs‘ resilience…
Steve Jobs Returns: Apple‘s Renaissance
In 1997, a now legendary Steve Jobs returned as Apple‘s CEO – immediately forging a groundbreaking deal with former rival Microsoft to invest $150 million into the struggling company.
Infusing Apple with essential cash to stay afloat, Microsoft‘s investment bore fruit in 1998 when Jobs introduced the translucent blue iMac G3 – selling over 800,000 units in under six months!
Apple stock tripled within months as investors realized the original visionary still had that spark.
But Jobs was just getting warmed up. In 2001, he unveiled Apple‘s sleek new Mac OS X operating system while expanding Apple‘s portfolio into software and entertainment – including the market-altering iTunes digital music platform.
Yet Apple‘s share price stumbled again with the notorious dot-com bust…proving it would take a truly disruptive product to vault Apple stock to blue chip status.
The iPhone Era: When Apple Stock Skyrocketed
On January 9, 2007 after years of covert development, Steve Jobs shocked the world by unveiling Apple‘s revolutionary iPhone built on bleeding-edge touch screen technology and Apple‘s new iOS operating system.
Suddenly Apple disrupted not just computers – but the massive mobile phones market dominated by Nokia, Motorola and Blackberry.
Investors immediately grasped the iPhone‘s long-term potential both for Apple‘s bottom line and society at large.
Within months, Apple stock embarked on a relentless 10 year run-up outpacing even the S&P 500 as iPhone sales exploded globally.
Adding fuel, in 2010 Jobs spearheaded another breakout product by shrinking the iPhone concept into the explosively popular iPad tablet.
While certainly not Apple‘s first tablet computer, the iPad leveraged iPhone‘s intuitive touch interface and thriving App Store into a never-before-seen mobile media consumption experience lighting the consumer market on fire.
With iPhone and iPad sales driving record profits even amid Jobs‘ tragic early passing, Apple formally attained $1 trillion market valuation in August 2018 followed by $2 trillion valuation in August 2020 under new CEO Tim Cook.
Apple Stock All-Time Highs…And Lows
Fueled by astronomical iPhone popularity and immense cash flows, Apple stock notched all-time high upon all-time high over the past 15 years:
- Split-Adjusted All-Time High – $182.01 per share (January 3, 2022)
- 10 Years Ago – $67.77 per share (February 2013)
- 5 Years Ago – $166.68 per share (February 2018)
Yet 2022 dealt serious blows to Apple stock just as broader technology shares suffered a sharp comedown from pandemic peaks.
Rendering a perfect storm, multiple catalysts punished Apple stock including lingering supply chain woes, spiking inflation and interest rates, Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine further muddling global trade…and effects of a booming U.S. dollar making iPhones more expensive overseas.
Collapsing nearly 30% off its zenith, Apple stock slid below $130 at its nadir in late November 2022.
For perspective, Apple‘s split-adjusted all-time stock price low sits at $3.19 per share on April 17, 2003 amidst post dot-com calamity – 85% below today‘s value.
So while guaranteed, Apple‘s 2022 decline still seems relatively muted next to past drawdowns. With $170 billion stockpiled in cash reserves, Apple indisputably holds resources to rebound briskly.
And that‘s before considering dividends…
Slow & Steady Wins The Race: Apple‘s Dividend Growth
What if I told you Apple actually pays you to invest in the iPhone maker long-term?
Unlike most tech giants, Apple proudly returns cash to shareholders via stock buybacks AND rising cash dividends.
Here‘s a dividend report card:
- Dividend Yield: 0.6%
- Annual Dividend: $0.92 per share
- 11+ Years of Consecutive Dividend Growth
- Payouts Grow 7% in 2022 Despite Stock Slump
While 0.6% dividend yield won‘t make you rich quick, Apple impressively grows its dividend payouts even amid economic instability.
This signals Apple‘s stellar cash flow consistency and management‘s long-standing commitment to shareholder returns.
Rising dividends plus enormous share repurchases enhance Apple stock‘s long-term total return outlook. Rather than recklessly chasing shortcuts, Apple constructed its modern era success through meticulous patience and calculated execution.
Slow and steady still wins the race!
What‘s Apple Stock Price Now?
"How do I check Apple‘s current stock price?"
It‘s simple! As one of the world‘s most popular stocks, Apple‘s share price quote lives front and center on all major financial websites.
On February 7, 2023, Apple opened at $153.71 per share then closed at $154.50 per share – up nearly 1% from the prior day.
For the most up-to-date AAPL stock quote, visit leading financial sites like:
- Yahoo Finance – Search for "AAPL"
- Google Finance – Type "Apple Stock"
- MarketWatch – Lookup Apple Inc. Quote
- Finviz – Search ticker AAPL under stock screener
Top brokerages including Fidelity, ETrade and Charles Schwab also readily display Apple‘s current share price on their trading platforms.
You can even ask Siri! Just say "Hey Siri, what‘s Apple‘s stock price today?" and she‘ll speak the latest quote.
As long as civilization relies on iPhones, investors won‘t have trouble tracking AAPL!
Will Apple Stock Recover in 2023? What Experts Predict
Despite formidable 2022 headwinds spanning supply chain turmoil, spiking inflation and effects of Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine disrupting global commerce, analysts foresee Apple stock recovering within the next year.
UBS analysts recently reiterated a "Buy" rating on Apple stock with bull case target of $200 per share – predicting strong new iPhone 14 demand especially in China.
Wedbush analysts hold an "Outperform" rating expecting Apple‘s surging services business to offset hardware sales volatility amidst economic cross-currents. Wedbush sets Apple‘s price target at $175 per share.
Both investment banks applaud Apple‘s relative resilience compared to more speculative tech names. Even assuming modest iPhone demand and net income dips near-term, Apple‘s brand equity, peaks of operational efficiency, and fortress balance sheet seem poised to power bigger future stock gains when global economies find firmer footing.
Just consider dividends while waiting for share prices to regain lost ground!
Conclusion: Take a Bite of Apple Stock at Lower Prices?
If high inflation, rising rates, supply turmoil and geopolitical strife leave a sour taste in your mouth as an investor, take comfort knowing stocks endure rollercoaster rides over time.
Rather than reacting emotionally, embrace opportunities during market downdrafts understanding no stock rides higher forever without occasional breather.
Apple may face slowing sales growth in the nearer term. But its cash-rich fortress balance sheet funding future innovations, expanding services division, and long runway for iPhone/iPad/Mac/AirPods demand in developing countries seem poised to reward opportunistic investors.
Don‘t fear this dip – cheer it! Consider nibbling on Apple shares at recent lows around 9% below their former all-time high.
Just be sure to diversify across various stocks and asset classes so your financial hopes don‘t purely rest on Apple‘s fortunes!
Over long time frames, Apple delivered life-changing 581,000% total returns for IPO investors patient enough to hold from 1980 into today‘s iPhone mega success era.
Here‘s to chasing similar amazing gains over your own long-term investment journey!
