Use the consolidated financial statements and the data in Apple Inc.’s annual report in Appendix A and online in the filings section of www.sec.gov to evaluate the company’s comparative performance for 2016 versus 2015.

Requirements

1. Perform a horizontal and a vertical analysis of the following information on the company’s comparative income statements for 2016 and 2015:

a. Net sales

b. Gross margin

c. Operating income

d. Net income

Did the company appear to be performing better or worse on these dimensions in 2016, relative to 2015? Explain.

2. Perform horizontal and vertical analysis of the company’s balance sheets for 2016 and 2015. In what areas did the company’s balance sheet appear to be improving? Deteriorating? Explain.

3. Calculate the trends in the major elements of the company’s cash flow statement (operations, investing, and financing) for 2016 relative to 2015. From where does the company generate most of its cash? What did the company spend most of its cash on?

4. Describe the information in Apple’s annual report that can be used to analyze the company’s earnings quality. What is your overall evaluation of Apple’s earnings quality?

Data from Apple Inc.'s

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In millions, except number of shares which are reflected in thousands and per share amounts) Years ended September 26, 2015 September 24, 2016 September 27, 2014 Net sales 215,639 131,376 84,263 233,715 140,089 93,626 182,795 Cost of sales 112,258 70,537 Gross margin Operating expenses: Research and development Selling, general and administrative Total operating expenses 6,041 10,045 14,194 24,239 8,067 14,329 22,396 11,993 18,034 Operating income Other income/(expense), net Income before provision for income taxes 60,024 1,348 61,372 71,230 1,285 72,515 52,503 980 53,483 Provision for income taxes 19,121 15,685 45,687 13,973 Net income 53,394 39,510 Earnings per share: Basic 2$ 8.35 9.28 6.49 8.31 9.22 6.45 Diluted Shares used in computing earnings per share: Basic 5,470,820 5,753,421 6,085,572 5,500,281 Diluted 5,793,069 6,122,663 Cash dividends declared per share 2.18 1.98 1.82 %24 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (In millions) Years ended September 24, September 26, September 27, 2016 2015 2014 Net income $ 45,687 53,394 $ 39,510 Other comprehensive income/(loss): Change in foreign currency translation, net of tax effects of $8, $201 and $50, respectively 75 (411) (137) Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments: Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit/(expense) of $7), $(441) and $(297), respectively Adjustment for net (gains)/losses realized and included in net income, net of tax expense/(benefit) of $131, $630 and $(36), respectively Total change in unrecognized gains/losses on derivative 2,905 1,390 (741) (3,497) 149 instruments, net of tax (734) (592) 1,539 Change in unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities: Change in fair value of marketable securities, net of tax benefit/ (expense) of $(863), $264 and $(153), respectively Adjustment for net (gains)/losses realized and included in net income, net of tax expense/(benefit) of $(31), $(32) and $71, respectively Total change in unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities, 1,582 (483) 285 56 59 (134) net of tax 1,638 (424) 151 979 (1,427) 1,553 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) Total comprehensive income $ 46,666 51,967 $ 41,063