Time to buy Apple stock?

[Rico]

Seems to be down about 25% over the last couple months.  Is it time to buy?  Bryan??

http://investorplace.com/2012/11/buy-apple-stock-now/

[Bryancd]

Almost. I had sold most of mine leading into the iPad mini launch. I have kept a little in IRA's and added a little yesterday at $530, but there is still risk to the downside for a number of reasons including tax gain selling due to fears capital gains taxes will go up next year as well as concern about the future growth rates of the company. They are getting to the point where the law of large numbers will slowly erode their ability to grow. They aren't there yet, but unless they have a new must have product waiting in the wings and considering the increasing competitive environment in portable devices, I think you need to be more skeptical towards the company. Now that's not to say their balance sheet isn't gold, it is, and the stock is likely getting oversold at this point. If you have the ability to buy it, this would be a not bad place to pick a little up and see what happens. I am negative on the market as a whole and think the averages are heading lower still, so Apple will likely do the same until the end of the year or resolution of the fiscal cliff budget issue. So to be clear, I won a 5% allocation in retirement accounts and added a 3% allocation yesterday in taxable accounts. I have been as heavy as 20% Apple in accounts to give you an idea of where I stand.

[Bromptonboy]

Thanks, good advice!

[QuadShot]

Yeah well, you all know I'm a big Apple product fan, however lately I'm beginning to lose some respect for them. Lots of stupid little things you don't expect from a company like Apple. Now, the App and iTunes Stores are down, no word WHY or IF they'll be back up. Wi-Fi connection on the iPad2 (at least) is really buggy all of a sudden. For no reason at all, all of a sudden today I'm having serious difficulty in connecting to wi-fi with my iPad. Keeps dropping, or won't connect at all. And oh, here's a fun thing: couldn't get into NetFlix on my iPad, gave an error message so I checked NetFlix support and they say specifically, this error is for iPad/Apple TV users. Their fix is to delete the app, then reinstall from the App Store. Care to guess how I found out the App Store was down? :) So, now no NetFlix on the iPad until Apple fixes their issues. Wow. And they've still not commented on the iPad/Wi-Fi issue - which has been going on intermittently for a few months now. My point is that it almost seems as if Apple is starting to buy in to their own success. They seem to believe they're too awesome, and some things are being messed up. I love Apple stuff, but man, this gives them a black eye!

[Bryancd]

My point is that it almost seems as if Apple is starting to buy in to their own success. They seem to believe they're too awesome, and some things are being messed up. I love Apple stuff, but man, this gives them a black eye!

And this is a common reaction to corporations, where people ascribe personality characteristics to them and it's not a very effective way to look at companies in a critical way. Not picking on you, Al, lot's of folks do this, it's like anthropomorphizing our pets. :) Instead I look at these kind of issues from a more clinical standpoint. I don't believe Apple thinks they are awesome as their is no such thing as Apple. It's a company of thousands of individuals. Having listened to Tim Cook in interviews I don;t get the impression he is arrogant or feels the company can rest on it's laurels. The question is can they innovate in a post Steve Jobs world.

[davekill]

The question is can they innovate in a post Steve Jobs world.

Good question.  :P

[Meds]

Out of curiosity how much stock do you have to buy to see a difference. Are you talking about thousands or could you buy like one hundred dollars worth. I have no idea about stocks and shares (never really had the money to do anything with it lol). And how on Earth do you go about buying stuff, bar phoning Bryan up ;)

[Bryancd]

Out of curiosity how much stock do you have to buy to see a difference. Are you talking about thousands or could you buy like one hundred dollars worth. I have no idea about stocks and shares (never really had the money to do anything with it lol). And how on Earth do you go about buying stuff, bar phoning Bryan up ;)

You just need to open a brokerage account. You can do so with a great many inexpensive online options or with your bank most likely. Or you call me. :) In general trading is done on a per share basis, so one share cost $530 or so. It's worth even just buying one, appreciation is appreciation regardless of the amount.