Apple on Steve Jobs Health Rumors: No Comment

A spokeswoman for Apple (AAPL) today said the company was not going to respond to rumors and speculation about the health of CEO Steve Jobs. Four years ago, Jobs had surgery for pancreatic cancer. The spokeswoman would not discuss speculation that he may have had a recurrence.

Concerns about Jobs cropped up on Monday following his keynote address at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. As I noted in a post on Tuesday, Jobs looked to some observers to be unusually thin. Apple on Tuesday said that Jobs had recently had a “common bug” that was treated with antibiotics, which the spokeswoman noted again today.

But rumors about his health have persisted over the last several trading days, and are weighing heavily on Apple shares today. At market close, AAPL was off $7.55, or 4.13%, at $173.26.

Comments

[Paul Lopez:]

There are few companies so dependent upon their CEO as Apple. Steve - you got to walk it off!

2008 Jun 12 09:38 PM

[Bill West:]

I have known two people who have died from pancreatic cancer, one woman from breast cancer, and one woman from cervical cancer. Regarding Mr. Jobs; pancreatic is fatal within 3 to 6 months most of the time. Since his cancer was the curable type in 2003 I seriously doubt the rumors now in play. Mr. Jobs has a slender build and a vegetarian diet. He does not have "the look" of a cancer patient in the final stages.

Although he is considered critical to Apple he also has a very capable team of associates to carry on the Apple tradition if something should happen.

Maybe all the shorts will have to cover their Apple positions once the cancer myth is dispelled.

Disclosure- Long APPL

2008 Jun 12 09:52 PM

[fatcat:]

pancreatic cancer is usually a death sentence,quick..hope that has not returned...

2008 Jun 12 09:54 PM

[coat of man...:]

Regarding Steve Jobs "weak" look,
I have this from a good source that it's been over 3 years and he is still testing free of pancreatic cancer. He had a small and rare type of tumor that was is an area where it was completely removed.

He hasn't regained the weight he lost during treatment and the recent "bug" or flu or whatever he had for the past several weeks has temporarily zapped his strength.

As for the line of succession if he is untimely "hit" by a truck, it is already in place for a smooth transition.

Apple will always be the best.

2008 Jun 12 10:28 PM

[coat of man...:]

Regarding Steve Jobs "weak" look,
I have this from a good source that it's been over 3 years and he is still testing free of pancreatic cancer. He had a small and rare type of tumor that was is an area where it was completely removed.

He hasn't regained the weight he lost during treatment and the recent "bug" or flu or whatever he had for the past several weeks has temporarily zapped his strength.

As for the line of succession if he is untimely "hit" by a truck, it is already in place for a smooth transition.

Apple will always be the best.

2008 Jun 12 11:47 PM

[tom1234:]

when walt disney passed his company went on to broader acheivements --there were safer risks taken ---and WD was a true visionary

2008 Jun 13 09:50 AM

[David Lentz:]

Probably stricken by salmonella-infested tomatoes.

The stock is obviously stricken by summertime profit-taking, and is on course to re-test the spring lows before breaking through to approach 300.

2008 Jun 13 10:37 AM

[Jason B.:]

Apple stock will probably stay put until July 11, after which we will see a steady climb. I am amazed at how many people I've talked to who are snagging a 3G iPhone--including a lot of people who were didn't jump in on the first edition.

2008 Jun 14 05:47 PM