Apple, Microsoft, Google: Cash vs. Cash

Just because a few people asked, here is a cash comparison over the last few years at Microsoft, Google and Apple. (Again, this is via Gridstone.)

Comments

[jack dee:]

what does the even mean.

MSFT paid out a 32 billion dollar div around 2004 and continues to pay out billions every year.

GOOG and APPL do not pay out anything , not one penny, so unless they are putting the cash to work better than market average they need to get rid of some.

Or perhaps investors really intended to invest into a tech / fund management company??

Oct 20 03:39 PM

[Brandon:]

Or they might be waiting for an opportunity instead of spraying money cannons in every direction like MSFT.

Oct 20 03:48 PM

[MacMan:]

This chart shows that Apple has ~22Billion in cash but on the conference call yesterday they stated that they have ~34Billion in cash.

Oct 20 03:48 PM

[Douglas Kor...:]

Actually, the reason GOOGLE doesn't have even MORE cash is that they HAVE done some strategic acquistions: for example, YT and DC, right off the tip of the tongue.

MSFT had dispensed the cash it had accumulated, and is now accumulating even more. What will they do with it?? Clearly, they don't have any strategic target in mind, they prefer, IMO, to wipe out and/or steal the market from the opposition, just as they ripped us off for OFFICE and WINDOWS.

MSFT is the heart of evil, IMO, and should be confiscated and/or broken up. It's time is done.

Oct 20 03:55 PM

[JamesApple:]

Rimm with a paultry $1 billion in cash has no business running a smartphone business. Rimm is going out of business sooner than year 2012, hopefully Rimm would just bankrupt peacefully instead of being bought by Mucrosoft being Rimm has absolutely no assets of any value nor any worthwhile IP.

Oct 20 03:58 PM

[Anthony B:]

I have to second MacMan's comment.
From the earnings call:
"Turning to cash, our cash plus short-term and long-term marketable securities totaled $34 billion at the end of the September quarter compared to $31.1 billion at the end of the June quarter, an increase of $2.9 billion. "

...so why is this chart off by about 10 billion?

Oct 20 04:06 PM

[davswa:]

If you look at the balance sheet statements they have $36B in current assets including $2B in deferred tax assets. So in terms of actual cash you can call it $34B or $36B

Oct 20 04:08 PM

[disposablei...:]

@jack dee, isn't that funny? Microsoft is basically saying to investors that you are better able to invest the money yourself.

In other words: Despite all of their smart employees, technology patents, infrastructure, monopoly positions in multiple markets, and extensive R&D efforts, Microsoft thinks that you can make a better return on all of that money than they can.

Oct 20 04:40 PM

[parv:]

microsoft recently had a debt offering. Is that included in the data. Would make more sense to exclude any debt.

Oct 20 05:25 PM

[MarkS2002:]

I have to say I agree with Jack Dee. I love there products and am anxiously awaiting the iMeter that will monitor my electrical usage and calculate my carbon; but, at some point, either the money gets spent or it should be returned to the owners. Capital gains are wonderful; but this is not how stock ownership is supposed to work.

Oct 20 07:52 PM

[martyg:]

net cash is what counts. if you have $10 and owe nothing then you have $10. if you owe $8 then you can add (subtract). this makes your charts meaningless.

Oct 21 10:45 AM

[jack dee:]

In the most simple terms


10 Billion Defense buffer what ever

10 Billion investments , pots of jam etc

10 Billion + Divs, one time payout, even a buyback (although I am not a fan of them)


but 30 billion being stored like fund managers equals waste of stock holders assets.

Oct 21 12:20 PM

[Tom B:]

They could buy Adobe; Netflix-- lots of possibilities. Netflix is more valuable.....

Oct 21 10:10 PM