I didn't need you to explain market cap but thanks for the effort, I'm sure it will helpful to someone. The reason I asked you was because I wanted to know your opinion or your angle on the buy back of apple, that is the same angle I took when I wrote the other downvoted comment.

>This will mean a larger cut of future profits in the form of dividends and greater growth potential in the price of the stock, as future valuations will divide the market cap by 3 instead of 4.

The reasoning I used was, Apple isn't a growing company. Its well mature. I don't think we'll be seeing larger future profits in the form of dividends or greater growth potential. I mean with their product range ever increasing in price, I can't imagine they'd be breaking their sales record any time soon. I personally don't see them growing atleast in the next 5 years unless they come up with better innovation and cheaper prices.

The scenario that you explained is perfect for share buy backs of growing companies that are undervalued. They eventually increase value for the investors long term. But if the shares are overvalued keeping in mind its future prospects, and then you buy them back, it hurts the share holders long term. Any fund manager worth his salt will recognize that and will underweight his position at the very atleast. 401k, which like you said are a bunch of mutual funds and ETFs aren't known to be ahead of the curve. Which is what I meant by lag.

At the end of the day all my comments were entirely based upon the fact that I don't see Apple growing. Which is my opinion and I can of course be wrong.

Edit- Fuck. Now you have me doubting. Am I still wrong?