The April 30, 2017, edition of the Wall Street Journal contains an article by Tripp Mickle entitled “Apple’s Cash Hoard Set to Top $250 Billion.” 

Instructions 

Read the article and then answer the following questions. 

a. In comparison to other large values, how big is Apple’s cash amount of $250 billion? 

b. In what form does Apple hold its cash and cash equivalents? 

c. At the time of the article, how much money had Apple returned to shareholders in the form of dividends and stock buybacks since starting those programs in 2012? 

d. What is the largest acquisition of another company? What acquisitions have some investors proposed to Apple, and what was the market value of those companies at the time of the article?