The company declared an initial dividend of $2.65 per share, with the first dividend being paid out in the fiscal fourth quarter of this year (starting July 1).
Apple will buy back up to $10 billion worth of its common stock, and this effectively neutralizes the impact of employee stock option dilution. The buybacks will start in its fiscal year 2013, which begins on September 30, 2012.
Apple believes that this amount of spending versus income will maintain a war chest for strategic opportunities and will leave it with plenty of cash to run the business.
JON C. OGG