Apple Repurchases $14 Billion of Own Shares in 2 Weeks

And Tim Cook granted an interview to Daisuke Wakabayashi of the WSJ:

Thursday, Mr. Cook reiterated that Apple plans to enter a new category this year. Apple watchers are speculating about wearable devices or a new television platform.

“There will be new categories. We’re not ready to talk about it, but we’re working on some really great stuff,” Mr. Cook said. When asked whether a new product category could mean an improvement on an existing product like an iPad Air, a lighter version of its tablet computer, or new services such as mobile payments, Mr. Cook declined to comment.

He said that anyone “reasonable” would consider what Apple is working on as new categories.

Update: Perspective on how big a $14 billion purchase is:

Apple spent $14 billion buying 3% of itself over the past two weeks, equivalent to roughly four Nests and a Motorola.

★ Thursday, 6 February 2014