Use Apple$$s financial statements in Appendix A to answer the following.

How many shares of Apple common stock are issued and outstanding at $($a$)$ September $28,2019,$ and $($b$)$ September $29,2018?$

What is the total amount of cash dividends paid to common stockholders for the years ended $($a$)$ September $28,2019,$ and $($b$)$ September $29,2018?$

Identify basic earnings per share $($EPS$)$ amounts for fiscal years $($a$)2019$ and $($b$)2018.$

Is Apple$$s earnings per share $($EPS$)$ on a favorable or unfavorable trend from $2018$ to $2019?$

If Apple buys back outstanding shares from investors, would you expect earnings per share $($EPS$)$ to increase or decrease from the buyback?