Morgan Stanley: Apple Is Probably Going To Jack Up Its Dividend
Huberty met with Apple's CFO. After the meeting she wrote that Apple will "likely increase cash return to shareholders." She writes:
Apple could return more cash to shareholders given its cash balance is $40B higher vs. March 2012. Our analysis suggests Apple can match the S&P IT sector’s average FCF payout of 68% if it returns $28B in FY13, implying a 6% total yield. High mix of international cash limited flexibility in the past but raising low-interest debt can help address this issue, in our view.
Apple's currently has a 2.3 percent dividend yield, so this would be a big bump.
Einhorn had a big presentation yesterday about why Apple shouldn't just do a dividend bump. He thinks it wouldn't help Apple's PE.
He wants to see Apple do preferred shares that deliver a dividend in perpetuity. His plan would have a 4 percent annual yield.