Will Apple’s Cash Needs Give The Blues To These Top Institutional Shareholders?

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s stock is trading down ahead of their shareholder meeting. During this meeting, they are expected to address their huge cash position. The company’s cash needs over the next two years are actually greater than many believe, according to a note by Jefferies analyst Peter Misek. It is likely that Apple’s capital expenditures will double over the next two years, mainly as a result of higher apps processing costs, along with content costs regarding their anticipated TV product launch. Furthermore, it is possible that Apple will have to provide financing to consumers in some markets, since some carriers may cease subsidizing the iPhones. An acceleration of dividends and buybacks are expected to provide Apple with greater strategic flexibility and value to shareholders than preferred shares over the intermediate to long term, according to the analyst. As of now, the tech company intends to return $45 billion to shareholders over the next three years through dividends and share buybacks.

Will Apple Inc.’s shareholders increase their holdings? They reported owning a total of 721.269 million shares on 12/31/2012. The shares closed at $529.09 on 12/31/2012.

Here are theeight largest positions in Apple Inc. at the end of December 31st, 2012

Vanguard Group Inc. held 42,083,340 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $22,395,490,329. This brought the portfolio total to 2.8%.

FMR LLC. held 41,157,281 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $21,902,669,526. This brought the portfolio total to 3.95%.

State Street Corp. held 36,838,788 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $19,604,497,180. This brought the portfolio total to 2.84%.

Susquehanna International Group LLP. held 26,597,500 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $14,177,265,000. This brought the portfolio total to 3.16%.

Blackrock Institutional Trust Company N.A. held 25,239,746 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $13,431,835,197. This brought the portfolio total to 3.13%.

Price T. Rowe Associates Inc. /MD/ held 23,598,905 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $12,558,628,871. This brought the portfolio total to 3.69%.

J.PMorgan Chase & Co. held 15,353,475 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $8,170,658,528. This brought the portfolio total to 2.84%.

Northern Trust Corp. held 13,550,305 shares on 12/31/2012 worth $7,211,065,580. This brought the portfolio total to 2.97%.

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