Sec Aapl 1628280 16 20309 PDF
Sec Aapl 1628280 16 20309 PDF
Sec Aapl 1628280 16 20309 PDF
FORM 10-K
(Annual Report)
http://www.edgar-online.com
Copyright 2016, EDGAR Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Distribution and use of this document restricted under EDGAR Online, Inc. Terms of Use.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 24, 2016
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-36743
Apple Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
California 94-2404110
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, California 95014
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(408) 996-1010
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
1.000% Notes due 2022 New York Stock Exchange LLC
1.375% Notes due 2024 New York Stock Exchange LLC
1.625% Notes due 2026 New York Stock Exchange LLC
2.000% Notes due 2027 New York Stock Exchange LLC
3.050% Notes due 2029 New York Stock Exchange LLC
3.600% Notes due 2042 New York Stock Exchange LLC
(Title of class) (Name of exchange on which registered)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to
submit and post such files).
Yes No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of the Registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-
K.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of
large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes No
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, as of March 25, 2016, the last business day of the Registrants most
recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $578,807,000,000. Solely for purposes of this disclosure, shares of common stock held by executive officers and
directors of the Registrant as of such date have been excluded because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of executive officers and directors as
affiliates is not necessarily a conclusive determination for any other purposes.
5,332,313,000 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding as of October 14, 2016 .
Apple Inc.
Form 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Part I
Item 1. Business 1
Item 1A. Risk Factors 8
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 17
Item 2. Properties 17
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 17
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 17
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 18
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 21
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 22
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 36
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 38
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 72
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 72
Item 9B. Other Information 72
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 73
Item 11. Executive Compensation 73
Item 12 . Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 73
Item 13 . Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence 73
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 73
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 74
This
Annual
Report
on
Form
10-K
(
Form
10-K
)
contains
forward-looking
statements,
within
the
meaning
of
the
Private
Securities
Litigation
Reform
Act
of
1995,
that
involve
risks
and
uncertainties.
Many
of
the
forward-looking
statements
are
located
in
Part
II,
Item
7
of
this
Form
10-K
under
the
heading
Managements
Discussion
and
Analysis
of
Financial
Condition
and
Results
of
Operations.
Forward-looking
statements
provide
current
expectations
of
future
events
based
on
certain
assumptions
and
include
any
statement
that
does
not
directly
relate
to
any
historical
or
current
fact.
Forward-looking
statements
can
also
be
identified
by
words
such
as
future,
anticipates,
believes,
estimates,
expects,
intends,
plans,
predicts,
will,
would,
could,
can,
may,
and
similar
terms.
Forward-looking
statements
are
not
guarantees
of
future
performance
and
the
Companys
actual
results
may
differ
significantly
from
the
results
discussed
in
the
forward-looking
statements.
Factors
that
might
cause
such
differences
include,
but
are
not
limited
to,
those
discussed
in
Part
I,
Item
1A
of
this
Form
10-K
under
the
heading
Risk
Factors,
which
are
incorporated
herein
by
reference.
All
information
presented
herein
is
based
on
the
Companys
fiscal
calendar.
Unless
otherwise
stated,
references
to
particular
years,
quarters,
months
or
periods
refer
to
the
Companys
fiscal
years
ended
in
September
and
the
associated
quarters,
months
and
periods
of
those
fiscal
years.
Each
of
the
terms
the
Company
and
Apple
as
used
herein
refers
collectively
to
Apple
Inc.
and
its
wholly-owned
subsidiaries,
unless
otherwise
stated.
The
Company
assumes
no
obligation
to
revise
or
update
any
forward-
looking
statements
for
any
reason,
except
as
required
by
law.
PART I
Item 1. Business
Company Background
The Company designs, manufactures and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers and portable digital music players, and sells
a variety of related software, services, accessories, networking solutions and third-party digital content and applications. The Companys products and services
include iPhone , iPad , Mac , iPod , Apple Watch , Apple TV , a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications, iOS, macOS,
watchOS and tvOS operating systems, iCloud , Apple Pay and a variety of accessory, service and support offerings. The Company sells and delivers
digital content and applications through the iTunes Store , App Store , Mac App Store, TV App Store, iBooks Store and Apple Music (collectively
Internet Services). The Company sells its products worldwide through its retail stores, online stores and direct sales force, as well as through third-party cellular
network carriers, wholesalers, retailers and value-added resellers. In addition, the Company sells a variety of third-party Apple compatible products, including
application software and various accessories through its retail and online stores. The Company sells to consumers, small and mid-sized businesses and
education, enterprise and government customers. The Companys fiscal year is the 52 or 53-week period that ends on the last Saturday of September. The
Company is a California corporation established in 1977.
Business Strategy
The Company is committed to bringing the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software and services. The Companys
business strategy leverages its unique ability to design and develop its own operating systems, hardware, application software and services to provide its
customers products and solutions with innovative design, superior ease-of-use and seamless integration. As part of its strategy, the Company continues to
expand its platform for the discovery and delivery of digital content and applications through its Internet Services, which allows customers to discover and
download digital content, iOS, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV applications, and books through either a Mac or Windows personal computer or through iPhone,
iPad and iPod touch devices (iOS devices), Apple TV and Apple Watch. The Company also supports a community for the development of third-party
software and hardware products and digital content that complement the Companys offerings. The Company believes a high-quality buying experience with
knowledgeable salespersons who can convey the value of the Companys products and services greatly enhances its ability to attract and retain customers.
Therefore, the Companys strategy also includes building and expanding its own retail and online stores and its third-party distribution network to effectively
reach more customers and provide them with a high-quality sales and post-sales support experience. The Company believes ongoing investment in research
and development (R&D), marketing and advertising is critical to the development and sale of innovative products and technologies.
Business Organization
The Company manages its business primarily on a geographic basis. The Companys reportable operating segments consist of the Americas, Europe, Greater
China, Japan and Rest of Asia Pacific. The Americas segment includes both North and South America. The Europe segment includes European countries, as
well as India, the Middle East and Africa. The Greater China segment includes China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Rest of Asia Pacific segment includes
Australia and those Asian countries not included in the Companys other reportable operating segments. Although the reportable operating segments provide
similar hardware and software products and similar services, each one is managed separately to better align with the location of the Companys customers and
distribution partners and the unique market dynamics of each geographic region. Further information regarding the Companys reportable operating segments
may be found in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K under the subheading Segment Operating Performance, and in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K in the Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements in Note 11, Segment Information and Geographic Data.
iPad
iPad is the Companys line of multi-purpose tablets based on its iOS operating system, which includes iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad mini. iPad includes Siri
and also includes Touch ID on qualifying devices. iPad works with the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store and Apple Music for purchasing, organizing and
playing digital content and apps.
Mac
Mac is the Companys line of desktop and portable personal computers based on its macOS operating system. The Companys desktop computers include iMac
, 21.5 iMac with Retina 4K display, 27 iMac with Retina 5K display, Mac Pro and Mac mini . The Companys portable computers include MacBook ,
MacBook Air , MacBook Pro and MacBook Pro with Retina display.
Operating
System
Software
iOS
iOS is the Companys Multi-Touch operating system that serves as the foundation for iOS devices. Devices running iOS are compatible with both Mac and
Windows personal computers and Apples iCloud services. In September 2016, the Company released iOS 10, which introduces the ability for Siri to do more by
working with apps, updates Messages, includes redesigned Maps, Photos, Apple Music and News apps, and the Home app, which provides a way to manage
home automation products in one place.
macOS
macOS is the Companys Mac operating system and is built on an open-source UNIX-based foundation and provides an intuitive and integrated computer
experience. Support for iCloud is built into macOS so users can access content and information from Mac, iOS devices and other supported devices and access
downloaded content and apps from the iTunes Store. macOS Sierra, released in September 2016, is the 13th major release of macOS and incorporates Siri and
Apple Pay on the Mac, improves continuity and document access across Apple devices and includes the new Memories feature in Photos.
watchOS
watchOS is the Companys operating system for Apple Watch. Released in September 2016, watchOS 3 provides improved performance with the ability to
launch favorite apps instantly, enhanced navigation with the new Dock and new fitness and health capabilities for Apple Watch, including the Breathe app
designed to promote exercises for relaxation and stress reduction.
tvOS
tvOS is the Company's operating system for Apple TV. The tvOS operating system is based on the Companys iOS platform and enables developers to create
new apps and games specifically for Apple TV and deliver them to customers through the Apple TV App Store. The new tvOS, released in September 2016,
incorporates new Siri capabilities that allow searching across more apps and services.
Application
Software
The Companys application software includes iLife , iWork and various other software, including Final Cut Pro , Logic Pro X and FileMaker Pro. iLife is
the Companys consumer-oriented digital lifestyle software application suite included with all Mac computers and features iMovie , a digital video editing
application, and GarageBand , a music creation application that allows users to play, record and create music. iWork is the Companys integrated productivity
suite included with all Mac computers and is designed to help users create, present and publish documents through Pages , presentations through Keynote
and spreadsheets through Numbers . The Company also has Multi-Touch versions of iLife and iWork applications designed specifically for use on iOS
devices, which are available as free downloads for all new iOS devices.
iCloud
iCloud is the Companys cloud service which stores music, photos, contacts, calendars, mail, documents and more, keeping them up-to-date and available
across multiple iOS devices, Mac and Windows personal computers and Apple TV. iCloud services include iCloud Drive , iCloud Photo Library, Family
Sharing, Find My iPhone, iPad or Mac, Find My Friends, Notes, iCloud Keychain and iCloud Backup for iOS devices.
AppleCare
AppleCare offers a range of support options for the Companys customers. These include assistance that is built into software products, printed and electronic
product manuals, online support including comprehensive product information as well as technical assistance, the AppleCare Protection Plan (APP) and the
AppleCare+ Protection Plan (AC+). APP is a fee-based service that typically extends the service coverage of phone support, hardware repairs and dedicated
web-based support resources for Mac, Apple TV and display products. AC+ is a fee-based service offering additional coverage under some circumstances for
instances of accidental damage in addition to the services offered by APP and is available in certain countries for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and iPod.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is the Companys mobile payment service available in certain countries that offers an easy, secure and private way to pay. Apple Pay allows users to
pay for purchases in stores accepting contactless payments and to pay for purchases within participating apps on qualifying devices. Apple Pay accepts credit
and debit cards across major card networks and also supports reward programs and store-issued credit and debit cards.
Other
Products
Accessories
The Company sells a variety of Apple-branded and third-party Mac-compatible and iOS-compatible accessories, including Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats
products, iPod, headphones, displays, storage devices, and various other connectivity and computing products and supplies. In September 2016, the Company
introduced AirPods, new wireless headphones that interact with Siri.
Apple TV
Apple TV connects to consumers TVs and enables them to access digital content directly for streaming high definition video, playing music and games, and
viewing photos. Content from Apple Music and other media services are also available on Apple TV. Apple TV allows streaming digital content from Mac and
Windows personal computers through Home Share and from compatible Mac and iOS devices through AirPlay . The Company's Apple TV runs on its tvOS
operating system and is based on apps built for the television. Additionally, the Apple TV remote features Siri, allowing users to search and access content with
their voice.
Apple Watch
Apple Watch is a personal electronic device that combines the watchOS user interface and technologies created specifically for a smaller device, including the
Digital Crown, a unique navigation tool that allows users to seamlessly scroll, zoom and navigate, and Force Touch, a technology that senses the difference
between a tap and a press and allows users to access controls within apps. Apple Watch enables users to communicate in new ways from their wrist, track their
health and fitness through activity and workout apps, and includes Siri and Apple Pay. In September 2016, the Company introduced Apple Watch Series 2,
featuring new fitness and health capabilities, built-in GPS and a 50-meter water resistance rating for swimming.
Developer Programs
The Companys developer programs support app developers with building, testing and distributing apps for iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS. Developer
program membership provides access to beta software and advanced app capabilities (e.g., CloudKit , HealthKit and Apple Pay), the ability to test apps
using TestFlight , distribution on the App Store, access to App Analytics and code-level technical support. Developer programs also exist for businesses
creating apps for internal use (the Apple Developer Enterprise Program) and developers creating accessories for Apple devices (the MFi Program). All
developers, even those who are not developer program members, can sign in with their Apple ID to post on the Apple Developer Forums and use Xcode , the
Companys integrated development environment for creating apps for Apple platforms. Xcode includes project management tools; analysis tools to collect,
display and compare app performance data; simulation tools to locally run, test and debug apps; and tools to simplify the design and development of user
interfaces. All developers also have access to extensive technical documentation and sample code.
The Company believes that sales of its innovative and differentiated products are enhanced by knowledgeable salespersons who can convey the value of the
hardware and software integration and demonstrate the unique solutions that are available on its products. The Company further believes providing direct
contact with its targeted customers is an effective way to demonstrate the advantages of its products over those of its competitors and providing a high-quality
sales and after-sales support experience is critical to attracting new and retaining existing customers.
To ensure a high-quality buying experience for its products in which service and education are emphasized, the Company continues to build and improve its
distribution capabilities by expanding the number of its own retail stores worldwide. The Companys retail stores are typically located at high-traffic locations in
quality shopping malls and urban shopping districts. By operating its own stores and locating them in desirable high-traffic locations the Company is better
positioned to ensure a high quality customer buying experience and attract new customers. The stores are designed to simplify and enhance the presentation
and marketing of the Companys products and related solutions. The retail stores employ experienced and knowledgeable personnel who provide product
advice, service and training and offer a wide selection of third-party hardware, software and other accessories that complement the Companys products.
The Company has also invested in programs to enhance reseller sales by placing high-quality Apple fixtures, merchandising materials and other resources
within selected third-party reseller locations. Through the Apple Premium Reseller Program, certain third-party resellers focus on the Apple platform by providing
a high level of product expertise, integration and support services.
The Company is committed to delivering solutions to help educators teach and students learn. The Company believes effective integration of technology into
classroom instruction can result in higher levels of student achievement and has designed a range of products, services and programs to address the needs of
education customers. The Company also supports mobile learning and real-time distribution of, and access to, education related materials through iTunes U, a
platform that allows students and teachers to share and distribute educational media online. The Company sells its products to the education market through its
direct sales force, select third-party resellers and its retail and online stores.
The Company also sells its hardware and software products to enterprise and government customers in each of its reportable operating segments. The
Companys products are deployed in these markets because of their performance, productivity, ease of use and seamless integration into information
technology environments. The Companys products are compatible with thousands of third-party business applications and services, and its tools enable the
development and secure deployment of custom applications as well as remote device administration.
No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 .
The Company is focused on expanding its market opportunities related to personal computers and mobile communication and media devices. These markets
are highly competitive and include many large, well-funded and experienced participants. The Company expects competition in these markets to intensify
significantly as competitors attempt to imitate some of the features of the Companys products and applications within their own products or, alternatively,
collaborate with each other to offer solutions that are more competitive than those they currently offer. These markets are characterized by aggressive pricing
practices, frequent product introductions, evolving design approaches and technologies, rapid adoption of technological and product advancements by
competitors and price sensitivity on the part of consumers and businesses.
The Companys digital content services have faced significant competition from other companies promoting their own digital music and content products and
services, including those offering free peer-to-peer music and video services.
The Companys future financial condition and operating results depend on the Companys ability to continue to develop and offer new innovative products and
services in each of the markets in which it competes. The Company believes it offers superior innovation and integration of the entire solution including the
hardware (iOS devices, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV), software (iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS), online services and distribution of digital content and
applications (Internet Services). Some of the Companys current and potential competitors have substantial resources and may be able to provide such products
and services at little or no profit or even at a loss to compete with the Companys offerings.
Supply of Components
Although most components essential to the Companys business are generally available from multiple sources, a number of components are currently obtained
from single or limited sources. In addition, the Company competes for various components with other participants in the markets for mobile communication and
media devices and personal computers. Therefore, many components used by the Company, including those that are available from multiple sources, are at
times subject to industry-wide shortage and significant pricing fluctuations that could materially adversely affect the Companys financial condition and operating
results.
The Company uses some custom components that are not commonly used by its competitors, and the Company often utilizes custom components available
from only one source. When a component or product uses new technologies, initial capacity constraints may exist until the suppliers yields have matured or
manufacturing capacity has increased. If the Companys supply of components were delayed or constrained, or if an outsourcing partner delayed shipments of
completed products to the Company, the Companys financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected. The Companys business
and financial performance could also be materially adversely affected depending on the time required to obtain sufficient quantities from the original source, or to
identify and obtain sufficient quantities from an alternative source. Continued availability of these components at acceptable prices, or at all, may be affected if
those suppliers concentrated on the production of common components instead of components customized to meet the Companys requirements.
The Company has entered into agreements for the supply of many components; however, there can be no guarantee that the Company will be able to extend or
renew these agreements on similar terms, or at all. Therefore, the Company remains subject to significant risks of supply shortages and price increases that
could materially adversely affect its financial condition and operating results.
While some Mac computers are manufactured in the U.S. and Ireland, substantially all of the Companys hardware products are currently manufactured by
outsourcing partners that are located primarily in Asia. A significant concentration of this manufacturing is currently performed by a small number of outsourcing
partners, often in single locations. Certain of these outsourcing partners are the sole-sourced suppliers of components and manufacturers for many of the
Companys products. Although the Company works closely with its outsourcing partners on manufacturing schedules, the Companys operating results could be
adversely affected if its outsourcing partners were unable to meet their production commitments. The Companys manufacturing purchase obligations typically
cover its requirements for periods up to 150 days.
The Company regularly files patent applications to protect innovations arising from its research, development and design, and is currently pursuing thousands of
patent applications around the world. Over time, the Company has accumulated a large portfolio of issued patents around the world. The Company holds
copyrights relating to certain aspects of its products and services. No single patent or copyright is solely responsible for protecting the Companys products. The
Company believes the duration of its patents is adequate relative to the expected lives of its products.
Many of the Companys products are designed to include intellectual property obtained from third parties. It may be necessary in the future to seek or renew
licenses relating to various aspects of its products, processes and services. While the Company has generally been able to obtain such licenses on
commercially reasonable terms in the past, there is no guarantee that such licenses could be obtained in the future on reasonable terms or at all. Because of
technological changes in the industries in which the Company competes, current extensive patent coverage and the rapid rate of issuance of new patents, it is
possible that certain components of the Companys products, processes and services may unknowingly infringe existing patents or intellectual property rights of
others. From time to time, the Company has been notified that it may be infringing certain patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties.
While some Mac computers are manufactured in the U.S. and Ireland, substantially all of the Companys hardware products are currently manufactured by
outsourcing partners that are located primarily in Asia. The supply and manufacture of a number of components is performed by sole-sourced outsourcing
partners in the U.S., Asia and Europe. Margins on sales of the Companys products in foreign countries and on sales of products that include components
obtained from foreign suppliers, can be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and by international trade regulations, including tariffs
and antidumping penalties. Information regarding concentration in the available sources of supply of materials and products is set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this
Form 10-K in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies.
Warranty
The Company offers a limited parts and labor warranty on most of its hardware products. The basic warranty period is typically one year from the date of
purchase by the original end-user. The Company also offers a 90-day basic warranty for its service parts used to repair the Companys hardware products. In
certain jurisdictions, local law requires that manufacturers guarantee their products for a period prescribed by statute, typically at least two years. In addition,
where available, consumers may purchase APP or AC+, which extends service coverage on many of the Companys hardware products.
Employees
As of September 24, 2016 , the Company had approximately 116,000 full-time equivalent employees.
Available Information
The Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed pursuant to
Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC). The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and files or furnishes reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. Such reports and other information filed by the Company with the SEC are available free of charge on the Companys website at
investor.apple.com/sec.cfm when such reports are available on the SECs website. The public may read and copy any materials filed by the Company with the
SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov . The contents of these websites are not incorporated into this filing.
Further, the Companys references to website URLs are intended to be inactive textual references only.
The business, financial condition and operating results of the Company can be affected by a number of factors, whether currently known or unknown, including
but not limited to those described below, any one or more of which could, directly or indirectly, cause the Companys actual financial condition and operating
results to vary materially from past, or from anticipated future, financial condition and operating results. Any of these factors, in whole or in part, could materially
and adversely affect the Companys business, financial condition, operating results and stock price.
Because of the following factors, as well as other factors affecting the Companys financial condition and operating results, past financial performance should not
be considered to be a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.
Global and regional economic conditions could materially adversely affect the Company.
The Companys operations and performance depend significantly on global and regional economic conditions. Uncertainty about global and regional economic
conditions poses a risk as consumers and businesses may postpone spending in response to tighter credit, higher unemployment, financial market volatility,
government austerity programs, negative financial news, declines in income or asset values and/or other factors. These worldwide and regional economic
conditions could have a material adverse effect on demand for the Companys products and services. Demand also could differ materially from the Companys
expectations as a result of currency fluctuations because the Company generally raises prices on goods and services sold outside the U.S. to correspond with
the effect of a strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Other factors that could influence worldwide or regional demand include changes in fuel and other energy costs,
conditions in the real estate and mortgage markets, unemployment, labor and healthcare costs, access to credit, consumer confidence and other
macroeconomic factors affecting consumer spending behavior. These and other economic factors could materially adversely affect demand for the Companys
products and services.
In the event of financial turmoil affecting the banking system and financial markets, additional consolidation of the financial services industry, or significant
financial service institution failures, there could be tightening in the credit markets, low liquidity and extreme volatility in fixed income, credit, currency and equity
markets. This could have a number of effects on the Companys business, including the insolvency or financial instability of outsourcing partners or suppliers or
their inability to obtain credit to finance development and/or manufacture products resulting in product delays; inability of customers, including channel partners,
to obtain credit to finance purchases of the Companys products; failure of derivative counterparties and other financial institutions; and restrictions on the
Companys ability to issue new debt. Other income and expense also could vary materially from expectations depending on gains or losses realized on the sale
or exchange of financial instruments; impairment charges resulting from revaluations of debt and equity securities and other investments; changes in interest
rates; increases or decreases in cash balances; volatility in foreign exchange rates; and changes in fair value of derivative instruments. Increased volatility in the
financial markets and overall economic uncertainty would increase the risk of the actual amounts realized in the future on the Companys financial instruments
differing significantly from the fair values currently assigned to them.
Global markets for the Companys products and services are highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change, and the Company may be
unable to compete effectively in these markets.
The Companys products and services compete in highly competitive global markets characterized by aggressive price cutting and resulting downward pressure
on gross margins, frequent introduction of new products, short product life cycles, evolving industry standards, continual improvement in product
price/performance characteristics, rapid adoption of technological and product advancements by competitors and price sensitivity on the part of consumers.
The Companys ability to compete successfully depends heavily on its ability to ensure a continuing and timely introduction of innovative new products, services
and technologies to the marketplace. The Company believes it is unique in that it designs and develops nearly the entire solution for its products, including the
hardware, operating system, numerous software applications and related services. As a result, the Company must make significant investments in R&D. The
Company currently holds a significant number of patents and copyrights and has registered and/or has applied to register numerous patents, trademarks and
service marks. In contrast, many of the Companys competitors seek to compete primarily through aggressive pricing and very low cost structures, and
emulating the Company's products and infringing on its intellectual property. If the Company is unable to continue to develop and sell innovative new products
with attractive margins or if competitors infringe on the Companys intellectual property, the Companys ability to maintain a competitive advantage could be
adversely affected.
The Company is the only authorized maker of hardware using macOS, which has a minority market share in the personal computer market. This market has
been contracting and is dominated by computer makers using competing operating systems, most notably Windows. In the market for personal computers and
accessories, the Company faces a significant number of competitors, many of which have broader product lines, lower priced products and a larger installed
customer base. Historically, consolidation in this market has resulted in larger competitors. Price competition has been particularly intense as competitors have
aggressively cut prices and lowered product margins. An increasing number of internet-enabled devices that include software applications and are smaller and
simpler than traditional personal computers compete for market share with the Companys existing products. The Companys financial condition and operating
results also depend on its ability to continually improve the Mac platform to maintain its functional and design advantages.
There can be no assurance the Company will be able to continue to provide products and services that compete effectively.
To remain competitive and stimulate customer demand, the Company must successfully manage frequent product introductions and transitions.
Due to the highly volatile and competitive nature of the industries in which the Company competes, the Company must continually introduce new products,
services and technologies, enhance existing products and services, effectively stimulate customer demand for new and upgraded products and successfully
manage the transition to these new and upgraded products. The success of new product introductions depends on a number of factors including, but not limited
to, timely and successful product development, market acceptance, the Companys ability to manage the risks associated with new product production ramp-up
issues, the availability of application software for new products, the effective management of purchase commitments and inventory levels in line with anticipated
product demand, the availability of products in appropriate quantities and at expected costs to meet anticipated demand and the risk that new products may
have quality or other defects or deficiencies in the early stages of introduction. Accordingly, the Company cannot determine in advance the ultimate effect of new
product introductions and transitions.
The Company depends on the performance of distributors, carriers and other resellers.
The Company distributes its products through cellular network carriers, wholesalers, national and regional retailers and value-added resellers, many of whom
distribute products from competing manufacturers. The Company also sells its products and third-party products in most of its major markets directly to
education, enterprise and government customers and consumers and small and mid-sized businesses through its online and retail stores.
Some carriers providing cellular network service for iPhone subsidize users purchases of the device. There is no assurance that such subsidies will be
continued at all or in the same amounts upon renewal of the Companys agreements with these carriers or in agreements the Company enters into with new
carriers.
Many resellers have been adversely affected in the past by weak economic conditions. The Company has invested and will continue to invest in programs to
enhance reseller sales, including staffing selected resellers stores with Company employees and contractors, and improving product placement displays. These
programs could require a substantial investment while providing no assurance of return or incremental revenue. The financial condition of these resellers could
weaken, these resellers could stop distributing the Companys products, or uncertainty regarding demand for some or all of the Companys products could cause
resellers to reduce their ordering and marketing of the Companys products.
The Company must order components for its products and build inventory in advance of product announcements and shipments. Consistent with industry
practice, components are normally acquired through a combination of purchase orders, supplier contracts and open orders, in each case based on projected
demand. Manufacturing purchase obligations typically cover forecasted component and manufacturing requirements for periods up to 150 days. Because the
Companys markets are volatile, competitive and subject to rapid technology and price changes, there is a risk the Company will forecast incorrectly and order or
produce excess or insufficient amounts of components or products, or not fully utilize firm purchase commitments.
Future operating results depend upon the Companys ability to obtain components in sufficient quantities on commercially reasonable terms.
Because the Company currently obtains components from single or limited sources, the Company is subject to significant supply and pricing risks. Many
components, including those that are available from multiple sources, are at times subject to industry-wide shortages and significant commodity pricing
fluctuations. While the Company has entered into agreements for the supply of many components, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
extend or renew these agreements on similar terms, or at all. A number of suppliers of components may suffer from poor financial conditions, which can lead to
business failure for the supplier or consolidation within a particular industry, further limiting the Companys ability to obtain sufficient quantities of components on
commercially reasonable terms. The effects of global or regional economic conditions on the Companys suppliers, described in Global
and
regional
economic
conditions
could
materially
adversely
affect
the
Company
above, also could affect the Companys ability to obtain components .
Therefore, the Company
remains subject to significant risks of supply shortages and price increases.
The Companys new products often utilize custom components available from only one source. When a component or product uses new technologies, initial
capacity constraints may exist until the suppliers yields have matured or manufacturing capacity has increased. Continued availability of these components at
acceptable prices, or at all, may be affected for any number of reasons, including if those suppliers decide to concentrate on the production of common
components instead of components customized to meet the Companys requirements. The supply of components for a new or existing product could be delayed
or constrained, or a key manufacturing vendor could delay shipments of completed products to the Company.
The Company depends on component and product manufacturing and logistical services provided by outsourcing partners, many of which are
located outside of the U.S.
Substantially all of the Companys manufacturing is performed in whole or in part by a few outsourcing partners located primarily in Asia. The Company has also
outsourced much of its transportation and logistics management. While these arrangements may lower operating costs, they also reduce the Companys direct
control over production and distribution. It is uncertain what effect such diminished control will have on the quality or quantity of products or services, or the
Companys flexibility to respond to changing conditions. Although arrangements with these partners may contain provisions for warranty expense
reimbursement, the Company may remain responsible to the consumer for warranty service in the event of product defects and could experience an
unanticipated product defect or warranty liability. While the Company relies on its partners to adhere to its supplier code of conduct, material violations of the
supplier code of conduct could occur.
The Company relies on sole-sourced outsourcing partners in the U.S., Asia and Europe to supply and manufacture many critical components, and on
outsourcing partners primarily located in Asia, for final assembly of substantially all of the Companys hardware products. Any failure of these partners to perform
may have a negative impact on the Companys cost or supply of components or finished goods. In addition, manufacturing or logistics in these locations or
transit to final destinations may be disrupted for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, natural and man-made disasters, information technology
system failures, commercial disputes, military actions or economic, business, labor, environmental, public health, or political issues.
The Company has invested in manufacturing process equipment, much of which is held at certain of its outsourcing partners, and has made prepayments to
certain of its suppliers associated with long-term supply agreements. While these arrangements help ensure the supply of components and finished goods, if
these outsourcing partners or suppliers experience severe financial problems or other disruptions in their business, such continued supply could be reduced or
terminated and the net realizable value of these assets could be negatively impacted.
The Company relies on access to third-party digital content, which may not be available to the Company on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
The Company contracts with numerous third parties to offer their digital content to customers. This includes the right to sell currently available music, movies, TV
shows and books. The licensing or other distribution arrangements with these third parties are for relatively short terms and do not guarantee the continuation or
renewal of these arrangements on reasonable terms, if at all. Some third-party content providers and distributors currently or in the future may offer competing
products and services, and could take action to make it more difficult or impossible for the Company to license or otherwise distribute their content in the future.
Other content owners, providers or distributors may seek to limit the Companys access to, or increase the cost of, such content. The Company may be unable
to continue to offer a wide variety of content at reasonable prices with acceptable usage rules, or continue to expand its geographic reach. Failure to obtain the
right to make available third-party digital content, or to make available such content on commercially reasonable terms, could have a material adverse impact on
the Companys financial condition and operating results.
Some third-party digital content providers require the Company to provide digital rights management and other security solutions. If requirements change, the
Company may have to develop or license new technology to provide these solutions. There is no assurance the Company will be able to develop or license such
solutions at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner. In addition, certain countries have passed or may propose and adopt legislation that would force the
Company to license its digital rights management, which could lessen the protection of content and subject it to piracy and also could negatively affect
arrangements with the Companys content providers.
The Companys future performance depends in part on support from third-party software developers.
The Company believes decisions by customers to purchase its hardware products depend in part on the availability of thirdparty software applications and
services. There is no assurance that third-party developers will continue to develop and maintain software applications and services for the Companys products.
If third-party software applications and services cease to be developed and maintained for the Companys products, customers may choose not to buy the
Companys products.
With respect to its Mac products, the Company believes the availability of thirdparty software applications and services depends in part on the developers
perception and analysis of the relative benefits of developing, maintaining and upgrading such software for the Companys products compared to Windows-
based products. This analysis may be based on factors such as the market position of the Company and its products, the anticipated revenue that may be
generated, expected future growth of Mac sales and the costs of developing such applications and services. If the Companys minority share of the global
personal computer market causes developers to question the Macs prospects, developers could be less inclined to develop or upgrade software for the
Companys Mac products and more inclined to devote their resources to developing and upgrading software for the larger Windows market.
With respect to iOS devices, the Company relies on the continued availability and development of compelling and innovative software applications, which are
distributed through a single distribution channel, the App Store. iOS devices are subject to rapid technological change, and, if third-party developers are unable
to or choose not to keep up with this pace of change, third-party applications might not successfully operate and may result in dissatisfied customers. As with
applications for the Companys Mac products, the availability and development of these applications also depend on developers perceptions and analysis of the
relative benefits of developing, maintaining or upgrading software for the Companys iOS devices rather than its competitors platforms, such as Android. If
developers focus their efforts on these competing platforms, the availability and quality of applications for the Companys iOS devices may suffer.
The Company could be impacted by unfavorable results of legal proceedings, such as being found to have infringed on intellectual property rights.
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that have not yet been fully resolved and that have arisen in the ordinary course of business,
and additional claims may arise in the future.
For example, technology companies, including many of the Companys competitors, frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of patent infringement or
other violations of intellectual property rights. In addition, patent holding companies seek to monetize patents they have purchased or otherwise obtained. The
intellectual property rights claims against the Company have generally increased over time and may continue to increase. In particular, the Company's cellular
enabled products compete with products from mobile communication and media device companies that hold significant patent portfolios, and the Company has
faced a significant number of patent claims against it. The Company is vigorously defending infringement actions in courts in a number of U.S. jurisdictions and
before the U.S. International Trade Commission, as well as internationally in various countries. The plaintiffs in these actions frequently seek injunctions and
substantial damages.
Regardless of the scope or validity of such patents or other intellectual property rights, or the merits of any claims by potential or actual litigants, the Company
may have to engage in protracted litigation. If the Company is found to infringe one or more patents or other intellectual property rights, regardless of whether it
can develop non-infringing technology, it may be required to pay substantial damages or royalties to a third-party, or it may be subject to a temporary or
permanent injunction prohibiting the Company from marketing or selling certain products.
In certain cases, the Company may consider the desirability of entering into licensing agreements, although no assurance can be given that such licenses can
be obtained on acceptable terms or that litigation will not occur. These licenses may also significantly increase the Companys operating expenses.
Regardless of the merit of particular claims, litigation may be expensive, time-consuming, disruptive to the Companys operations and distracting to
management. In recognition of these considerations, the Company may enter into arrangements to settle litigation.
In managements opinion, there is not at least a reasonable possibility the Company may have incurred a material loss, or a material loss in excess of a
recorded accrual, with respect to loss contingencies, including matters related to infringement of intellectual property rights. However, the outcome of litigation is
inherently uncertain.
Although management considers the likelihood of such an outcome to be remote, if one or more legal matters were resolved against the Company in a reporting
period for amounts in excess of managements expectations, the Companys consolidated financial statements for that reporting period could be materially
adversely affected. Further, such an outcome could result in significant compensatory, punitive or trebled monetary damages, disgorgement of revenue or
profits, remedial corporate measures or injunctive relief against the Company that could materially adversely affect its financial condition and operating results.
The Company is subject to laws and regulations worldwide, changes to which could increase the Companys costs and individually or in the
aggregate adversely affect the Companys business.
The Company is subject to laws and regulations affecting its domestic and international operations in a number of areas. These U.S. and foreign laws and
regulations affect the Companys activities including, but not limited to, in areas of labor, advertising, digital content, consumer protection, real estate, billing, e-
commerce, promotions, quality of services, telecommunications, mobile communications and media, television, intellectual property ownership and infringement,
tax, import and export requirements, anti-corruption, foreign exchange controls and cash repatriation restrictions, data privacy requirements, anti-competition,
environmental, health and safety.
By way of example, laws and regulations related to mobile communications and media devices in the many jurisdictions in which the Company operates are
extensive and subject to change. Such changes could include, among others, restrictions on the production, manufacture, distribution and use of devices,
locking devices to a carriers network, or mandating the use of devices on more than one carriers network. These devices are also subject to certification and
regulation by governmental and standardization bodies, as well as by cellular network carriers for use on their networks. These certification processes are
extensive and time consuming, and could result in additional testing requirements, product modifications, or delays in product shipment dates, or could preclude
the Company from selling certain products.
The Company also could be significantly affected by other risks associated with international activities including, but not limited to, economic and labor
conditions, increased duties, taxes and other costs and political instability. Margins on sales of the Companys products in foreign countries, and on sales of
products that include components obtained from foreign suppliers, could be materially adversely affected by international trade regulations, including duties,
tariffs and antidumping penalties. The Company is also exposed to credit and collectability risk on its trade receivables with customers in certain international
markets. There can be no assurance the Company can effectively limit its credit risk and avoid losses.
The Companys retail stores have required and will continue to require a substantial investment and commitment of resources and are subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties.
The Companys retail stores have required substantial investment in equipment and leasehold improvements, information systems, inventory and personnel.
The Company also has entered into substantial operating lease commitments for retail space. Certain stores have been designed and built to serve as high-
profile venues to promote brand awareness and serve as vehicles for corporate sales and marketing activities. Because of their unique design elements,
locations and size, these stores require substantially more investment than the Companys more typical retail stores. Due to the high cost structure associated
with the Companys retail stores, a decline in sales or the closure or poor performance of individual or multiple stores could result in significant lease termination
costs, write-offs of equipment and leasehold improvements and severance costs.
Many factors unique to retail operations, some of which are beyond the Companys control, pose risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include,
but are not limited to, macro-economic factors that could have an adverse effect on general retail activity, as well as the Companys inability to manage costs
associated with store construction and operation, the Companys failure to manage relationships with its existing retail partners, more challenging environments
in managing retail operations outside the U.S., costs associated with unanticipated fluctuations in the value of retail inventory, and the Companys inability to
obtain and renew leases in quality retail locations at a reasonable cost.
Investment in new business strategies and acquisitions could disrupt the Companys ongoing business and present risks not originally
contemplated.
The Company has invested, and in the future may invest, in new business strategies or acquisitions. Such endeavors may involve significant risks and
uncertainties, including distraction of management from current operations, greater than expected liabilities and expenses, inadequate return of capital and
unidentified issues not discovered in the Companys due diligence. These new ventures are inherently risky and may not be successful.
The Companys business and reputation may be impacted by information technology system failures or network disruptions.
The Company may be subject to information technology system failures and network disruptions. These may be caused by natural disasters, accidents, power
disruptions, telecommunications failures, acts of terrorism or war, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, or other events or disruptions. System
redundancy may be ineffective or inadequate, and the Companys disaster recovery planning may not be sufficient for all eventualities. Such failures or
disruptions could, among other things, prevent access to the Companys online stores and services, preclude retail store transactions, compromise Company or
customer data, and result in delayed or cancelled orders. System failures and disruptions could also impede the manufacturing and shipping of products,
delivery of online services, transactions processing and financial reporting.
The Company requires user names and passwords in order to access its information technology systems. The Company also uses encryption and
authentication technologies designed to secure the transmission and storage of data and prevent access to Company data or accounts. As with all companies,
these security measures are subject to third-party security breaches, employee error, malfeasance, faulty password management, or other irregularities. For
example, third parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or customers into disclosing user names, passwords or other sensitive information, which
may in turn be used to access the Companys information technology systems. To help protect customers and the Company, the Company monitors accounts
and systems for unusual activity and may freeze accounts under suspicious circumstances, which may result in the delay or loss of customer orders.
The Company devotes significant resources to network security, data encryption and other security measures to protect its systems and data, but these security
measures cannot provide absolute security. To the extent the Company was to experience a breach of its systems and was unable to protect sensitive data,
such a breach could materially damage business partner and customer relationships, and curtail or otherwise adversely impact access to online stores and
services. Moreover, if a computer security breach affects the Companys systems or results in the unauthorized release of PII, the Companys reputation and
brand could be materially damaged, use of the Companys products and services could decrease, and the Company could be exposed to a risk of loss or
litigation and possible liability. While the Company maintains insurance coverage that, subject to policy terms and conditions and subject to a significant self-
insured retention, is designed to address certain aspects of cyber risks, such insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover all losses or all types of claims that
may arise in the continually evolving area of cyber risk.
The Company is also subject to payment card association rules and obligations under its contracts with payment card processors. Under these rules and
obligations, if information is compromised, the Company could be liable to payment card issuers for associated expenses and penalties. In addition, if the
Company fails to follow payment card industry security standards, even if no customer information is compromised, the Company could incur significant fines or
experience a significant increase in payment card transaction costs.
The Companys business is subject to a variety of U.S. and international laws, rules, policies and other obligations regarding data protection.
The Company is subject to federal, state and international laws relating to the collection, use, retention, security and transfer of PII. In many cases, these laws
apply not only to third-party transactions, but also may restrict transfers of PII among the Company and its international subsidiaries. Several jurisdictions have
passed laws in this area, and other jurisdictions are considering imposing additional restrictions. These laws continue to develop and may be inconsistent from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Complying with emerging and changing international requirements may cause the Company to incur substantial costs or require the
Company to change its business practices. Noncompliance could result in significant penalties or legal liability.
The Company makes statements about its use and disclosure of PII through its privacy policy, information provided on its website and press statements. Any
failure by the Company to comply with these public statements or with other federal, state or international privacy-related or data protection laws and regulations
could result in proceedings against the Company by governmental entities or others. Penalties could include ongoing audit requirements or significant legal
liability.
The Companys success depends largely on the continued service and availability of key personnel.
Much of the Companys future success depends on the continued availability and service of key personnel, including its Chief Executive Officer, executive team
and other highly skilled employees. Experienced personnel in the technology industry are in high demand and competition for their talents is intense, especially
in Silicon Valley, where most of the Companys key personnel are located.
The Company expects its quarterly revenue and operating results to fluctuate.
The Companys profit margins vary across its products and distribution channels. The Companys software, accessories, and service and support contracts
generally have higher gross margins than certain of the Companys other products. Gross margins on the Companys hardware products vary across product
lines and can change over time as a result of product transitions, pricing and configuration changes, and component, warranty, and other cost fluctuations. The
Companys direct sales generally have higher associated gross margins than its indirect sales through its channel partners. In addition, the Companys gross
margin and operating margin percentages, as well as overall profitability, may be materially adversely impacted as a result of a shift in product, geographic or
channel mix, component cost increases, the strengthening U.S. dollar, price competition, or the introduction of new products, including those that have higher
cost structures with flat or reduced pricing.
The Company has typically experienced higher net sales in its first quarter compared to other quarters due in part to seasonal holiday demand. Additionally, new
product introductions can significantly impact net sales, product costs and operating expenses. Further, the Company generates a majority of its net sales from
a single product and a decline in demand for that product could significantly impact quarterly net sales. The Company could also be subject to unexpected
developments late in a quarter, such as lower-than-anticipated demand for the Companys products, issues with new product introductions, an internal systems
failure, or failure of one of the Companys logistics, components supply, or manufacturing partners.
The Company uses derivative instruments, such as foreign currency forward and option contracts, to hedge certain exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates. The use of such hedging activities may not offset any, or more than a portion, of the adverse financial effects of unfavorable movements in
foreign exchange rates over the limited time the hedges are in place.
The Company is exposed to credit risk and fluctuations in the market values of its investment portfolio.
Given the global nature of its business, the Company has both domestic and international investments. Credit ratings and pricing of the Companys investments
can be negatively affected by liquidity, credit deterioration, financial results, economic risk, political risk, sovereign risk or other factors. As a result, the value and
liquidity of the Companys cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities may fluctuate substantially. Therefore, although the Company has not realized any
significant losses on its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, future fluctuations in their value could result in a significant realized loss.
The Company is exposed to credit risk on its trade accounts receivable, vendor non-trade receivables and prepayments related to long-term supply
agreements, and this risk is heightened during periods when economic conditions worsen.
The Company distributes its products through third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers and value-added resellers. The Company also sells its
products directly to small and mid-sized businesses and education, enterprise and government customers. A substantial majority of the Companys outstanding
trade receivables are not covered by collateral, third-party financing arrangements or credit insurance. The Companys exposure to credit and collectability risk
on its trade receivables is higher in certain international markets and its ability to mitigate such risks may be limited. The Company also has unsecured vendor
non-trade receivables resulting from purchases of components by outsourcing partners and other vendors that manufacture sub-assemblies or assemble final
products for the Company. In addition, the Company has made prepayments associated with long-term supply agreements to secure supply of inventory
components. As of September 24, 2016 , a significant portion of the Companys trade receivables was concentrated within cellular network carriers, and its
vendor non-trade receivables and prepayments related to long-term supply agreements were concentrated among a few individual vendors located primarily in
Asia. While the Company has procedures to monitor and limit exposure to credit risk on its trade and vendor non-trade receivables, as well as long-term
prepayments, there can be no assurance such procedures will effectively limit its credit risk and avoid losses.
The Company could be subject to changes in its tax rates, the adoption of new U.S. or international tax legislation or exposure to additional tax
liabilities.
The Company is subject to taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions, including Ireland, where a number of the Companys subsidiaries are organized.
Due to economic and political conditions, tax rates in various jurisdictions may be subject to significant change. The Companys effective tax rates could be
affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, or
changes in tax laws or their interpretation, including in the U.S. and Ireland.
The Company is also subject to the examination of its tax returns and other tax matters by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") and other tax
authorities and governmental bodies. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations to determine the
adequacy of its provision for taxes. There can be no assurance as to the outcome of these examinations. If the Companys effective tax rates were to increase,
particularly in the U.S. or Ireland, or if the ultimate determination of the Companys taxes owed is for an amount in excess of amounts previously accrued, the
Companys financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Item 2. Properties
The Companys headquarters are located in Cupertino, California. As of September 24, 2016 , the Company owned 7.1 million square feet and leased
22.3 million square feet of building space, primarily in the U.S. Additionally, the Company owned a total of 2,583 acres of land primarily in the U.S.
As of September 24, 2016 , the Company owned facilities and land for R&D, corporate functions and data centers at various locations throughout the U.S.,
including land in California that is being developed for the Companys second corporate campus. Outside the U.S., the Company owned additional facilities and
land for various purposes.
The Company believes its existing facilities and equipment, which are used by all operating segments, are in good operating condition and are suitable for the
conduct of its business. The Company has invested in internal capacity and strategic relationships with outside manufacturing vendors and continues to make
investments in capital equipment as needed to meet anticipated demand for its products.
Item 5. Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Companys common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (NASDAQ) under the symbol AAPL.
Holders
As of October 14, 2016 , there were 25,641 shareholders of record.
Dividends
The Company paid a total of $12.0 billion and $11.4 billion in dividends during 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and expects to pay quarterly dividends of $0.57 per
common share each quarter, subject to declaration by the Board of Directors. The Company also plans to increase its dividend on an annual basis, subject to
declaration by the Board of Directors.
(1) In April 2016, the Companys Board of Directors increased the Company's share repurchase program authorization from $140 billion to $175 billion of the Companys
common stock. As of September 24, 2016 , $133 billion of the $175 billion had been utilized. The remaining $42 billion in the table represents the amount available to
repurchase shares under the authorized repurchase program as of September 24, 2016 . The Companys share repurchase program does not obligate it to acquire
any specific number of shares. Under the program, shares may be repurchased in privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans
complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act.
(2) In May 2016, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase arrangement ("ASR") to purchase up to $6.0 billion of the Company's common stock. In
August 2016, the purchase period for this ASR ended and an additional 12.3 million shares were delivered and retired. In total, 60.5 million shares were delivered
under this ASR at an average repurchase price of $99.25.
(3) In August 2016, the Company entered into a new ASR to purchase up to $3.0 billion of the Companys common stock. In exchange for an up-front payment of $3.0
billion, the financial institution party to the arrangement committed to deliver shares to the Company during the ASRs purchase period, which will end in or before
November 2016. The total number of shares ultimately delivered, and therefore the average price paid per share, will be determined at the end of the applicable
purchase period based on the volume weighted-average price of the Companys common stock during that period.
* $100 invested on 9/23/11 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Data points are the last day of each fiscal year for the Companys common stock and
September 30th for indexes.
Copyright 2016 S&P, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2016 Dow Jones & Co. All rights reserved.
future,
anticipates,
believes,
estimates,
expects,
intends,
plans,
predicts,
will,
would,
could,
can,
may,
and
similar
terms.
Forward-looking
statements
are
not
guarantees
of
future
performance
and
the
Companys
actual
results
may
differ
significantly
from
the
results
discussed
in
the
forward-looking
statements.
Factors
that
might
cause
such
differences
include,
but
are
not
limited
to,
those
discussed
in
Part
I,
Item
1A
of
this
Form
10-K
under
the
heading
Risk
Factors,
which
are
incorporated
herein
by
reference.
The
following
discussion
should
be
read
in
conjunction
with
the
consolidated
financial
statements
and
notes
thereto
included
in
Part
II,
Item
8
of
this
Form
10-K.
All
information
presented
herein
is
based
on
the
Companys
fiscal
calendar.
Unless
otherwise
stated,
references
to
particular
years,
quarters,
months
or
periods
refer
to
the
Companys
fiscal
years
ended
in
September
and
the
associated
quarters,
months
and
periods
of
those
fiscal
years.
Each
of
the
terms
the
Company
and
Apple
as
used
herein
refers
collectively
to
Apple
Inc.
and
its
wholly-owned
subsidiaries,
unless
otherwise
stated.
The
Company
assumes
no
obligation
to
revise
or
update
any
forward-looking
statements
for
any
reason,
except
as
required
by
law.
Fiscal
2016
Highlights
Net sales declined 8% or $18.1 billion during 2016 compared to 2015, primarily driven by a year-over-year decrease in iPhone net sales and the effect of
weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, partially offset by an increase in Services. In April 2016, the Company announced a significant
increase to its capital return program by raising the expected total size of the program from $200 billion to $250 billion through March 2018. This included
increasing its share repurchase authorization from $140 billion to $175 billion and raising its quarterly dividend from $0.52 to $0.57 per share beginning in May
2016. During 2016, the Company spent $29.0 billion to repurchase shares of its common stock and paid dividends and dividend equivalents of $12.2 billion.
Additionally, the Company issued $23.9 billion of U.S. dollar-denominated term debt and A$1.4 billion of Australian dollar-denominated term debt during 2016.
Fiscal
2015
Highlights
Net sales rose 28% or $50.9 billion during 2015 compared to 2014, driven by a year-over-year increase in iPhone net sales. iPhone net sales and unit sales in
2015 increased in all of the Companys reportable operating segments. The Company also experienced year-over-year net sales increases in Mac, Services and
Other Products. Apple Watch, which launched during the third quarter of 2015, accounted for more than 100% of the year-over-year growth in net sales of Other
Products. Net sales growth during 2015 was partially offset by the effect of weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and lower iPad net
sales. Total net sales increased in each of the Companys reportable operating segments, with particularly strong growth in Greater China where year-over-year
net sales increased 84%.
In April 2015, the Company announced a significant increase to its capital return program by raising the expected total size of the program to $200 billion
through March 2017. This included increasing its share repurchase authorization to $140 billion and raising its quarterly dividend to $0.52 per share beginning in
May 2015. During 2015, the Company spent $36.0 billion to repurchase shares of its common stock and paid dividends and dividend equivalents of $11.6 billion.
Additionally, the Company issued $14.5 billion of U.S. dollar-denominated, 4.8 billion of euro-denominated, SFr1.3 billion of Swiss franc-denominated, 1.3
billion of British pound-denominated, A$2.3 billion of Australian dollar-denominated and 250.0 billion of Japanese yen-denominated term debt during 2015.
(1) Includes deferrals and amortization of related software upgrade rights and non-software services.
(2) Includes revenue from Internet Services, AppleCare , Apple Pay, licensing and other services.
(3) Includes sales of Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats products, iPod and Apple-branded and third-party accessories.
iPhone net sales and unit sales decreased during 2016 compared to 2015. The Company believes the sales decline is due primarily to a lower rate of iPhone
upgrades during 2016 compared to 2015 and challenging macroeconomic conditions in a number of major markets in 2016. Average selling prices (ASPs) for
iPhone were lower year-over-year during 2016 due primarily to a different mix of iPhones, including the iPhone SE introduced in 2016, and the effect of
weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
The year-over-year growth in iPhone net sales and unit sales during 2015 primarily resulted from strong demand for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus during 2015. Overall
ASPs for iPhone increased during 2015 compared to 2014, due primarily to the introduction of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in September 2014, partially offset by the
effect of weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
iPad
The following table presents iPad net sales and unit sales information for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (dollars in millions and units in thousands):
iPad net sales decreased during 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to lower unit sales and the effect of weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the
U.S. dollar, partially offset by higher ASPs due to a shift in mix to higher-priced iPads. The Company believes the decline in iPad sales is due in part to a longer
repurchase cycle for iPads and some level of cannibalization from the Company's other products.
Net sales and unit sales for iPad declined during 2015 compared to 2014. The Company believes the decline in iPad sales is due in part to a longer repurchase
cycle for iPads and some level of cannibalization from the Company's other products. iPad ASPs declined during 2015 compared to 2014, primarily as a result of
the effect of weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and a shift in mix to lower-priced iPads.
Mac
The following table presents Mac net sales and unit sales information for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (dollars in millions and units in thousands):
Mac net sales and unit sales decreased during 2016 compared to 2015. The year-over-year decline in Mac unit sales during 2016 was at rates similar to the
overall market. The effect of weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar also negatively impacted Mac net sales.
The year-over-year growth in Mac net sales and unit sales during 2015 was driven by strong demand for Mac portables. Mac ASPs declined during 2015
compared to 2014 largely due to the effect of weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
The year-over-year increase in net sales of Services in 2016 was due primarily to growth from the App Store, licensing and AppleCare sales, partially offset by
the effect of weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company received $548 million from Samsung
Electronics Co., Ltd. related to its patent infringement lawsuit, which was recorded as licensing net sales within Services.
The increase in net sales of Services during 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily due to growth from the App Store and licensing.
Americas
The following table presents Americas net sales information for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (dollars in millions):
Americas net sales decreased during 2016 compared to 2015 due primarily to lower net sales and unit sales of iPhone.
The year-over-year growth in Americas net sales during 2015 was driven primarily by growth in net sales and unit sales of iPhone, partially offset by a decline in
net sales and unit sales of iPad.
Europe
The following table presents Europe net sales information for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (dollars in millions):
Europe net sales decreased during 2016 compared to 2015 driven primarily by the effect of weakness in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and a
decrease in unit sales of Mac, largely offset by an increase in iPhone unit sales and Services.
The year-over-year increase in Europe net sales during 2015 was driven primarily by growth in net sales and unit sales of iPhone, partially offset by the effect of
weakness in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and a decline in net sales and unit sales of iPad.
Greater China net sales decreased during 2016 compared to 2015 due primarily to lower net sales and unit sales of iPhone and the effect of weakness in
foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
Greater China experienced strong year-over-year increases in net sales during 2015 driven primarily by iPhone sales.
Japan
The following table presents Japan net sales information for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (dollars in millions):
Japan net sales increased during 2016 compared to 2015 due primarily to higher net sales of Services and the strength in the Japanese yen relative to the U.S.
dollar.
The year-over-year increase in Japan net sales during 2015 was driven primarily by growth in Services largely associated with strong App Store sales, partially
offset by the effect of weakness in the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar.
Rest
of
Asia
Pacific
The following table presents Rest of Asia Pacific net sales information for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (dollars in millions):
Rest of Asia Pacific net sales decreased during 2016 compared to 2015 due primarily to lower net sales and unit sales of iPhone and the effect of weakness in
foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
The year-over-year increase in Rest of Asia Pacific net sales during 2015 primarily reflects strong growth in net sales and unit sales of iPhone, partially offset by
the effect of weakness in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and a decline in net sales and unit sales of iPad.
Gross Margin
Gross margin for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 is as follows (dollars in millions):
Gross margin decreased in 2016 compared to 2015 due primarily to the effect of weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and, to a lesser
extent, unfavorable leverage on fixed costs from lower net sales, partially offset by a favorable shift in mix to Services.
The year-over-year increase in the gross margin percentage in 2015 was driven primarily by a favorable shift in mix to products with higher margins and, to a
lesser extent, by improved leverage on fixed costs from higher net sales. These positive factors were partially offset primarily by higher product cost structures
and, to a lesser extent, by the effect of weakness in most foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 are as follows (dollars in millions):
Research
and
Development
The year-over-year growth in R&D expense in 2016 and 2015 was driven primarily by an increase in headcount and related expenses, and material costs to
support expanded R&D activities. The Company continues to believe that focused investments in R&D are critical to its future growth and competitive position in
the marketplace, and to the development of new and updated products that are central to the Companys core business strategy.
Selling,
General
and
Administrative
The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense in 2016 compared to 2015 was due primarily to lower discretionary expenditures and advertising
costs, partially offset by an increase in headcount and related expenses. The year-over-year growth in selling, general and administrative expense in 2015 was
primarily due to increased headcount and related expenses, and higher spending on marketing and advertising.
The year-over-year increase in other income/(expense), net during 2016 and 2015 was due primarily to higher interest income, partially offset by higher interest
expense on debt and higher expenses associated with foreign exchange activity. The weighted-average interest rate earned by the Company on its cash, cash
equivalents and marketable securities was 1.73%, 1.49% and 1.11% in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The Companys effective tax rates for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 differ from the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% due primarily to certain undistributed foreign
earnings, a substantial portion of which was generated by subsidiaries organized in Ireland, for which no U.S. taxes are provided when such earnings are
intended to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. The lower effective tax rate in 2016 compared to 2015 was due primarily to greater R&D tax credits. The
higher effective tax rate during 2015 compared to 2014 was due primarily to higher foreign taxes.
As of September 24, 2016 , the Company had deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences, tax losses and tax credits of $4.1 billion and
deferred tax liabilities of $26.0 billion. Management believes it is more likely than not that forecasted income, including income that may be generated as a result
of certain tax planning strategies, together with future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, will be sufficient to fully recover the deferred tax
assets. The Company will continue to evaluate the realizability of deferred tax assets quarterly by assessing the need for and the amount of a valuation
allowance.
During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company reached a partial settlement with the IRS on its examination of the years 2010 through 2012. In connection with
this settlement, the Company recognized a tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2016 that was not significant to its consolidated financial statements. All years prior
to 2013 are closed, except for the years 2010 through 2012 relating to R&D tax credits. In addition, the Company is subject to audits by state, local and foreign
tax authorities. In major states and major foreign jurisdictions, the years subsequent to 2003 generally remain open and could be subject to examination by the
taxing authorities. Management believes that adequate provisions have been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the
outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in the Companys tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with
managements expectations, the Company could be required to adjust its provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs.
On August 30, 2016, the European Commission announced its decision that Ireland granted state aid to the Company by providing tax opinions in 1991 and
2007 concerning the tax allocation of profits of the Irish branches of two subsidiaries of the Company (the "State Aid Decision"). The State Aid Decision orders
Ireland to calculate and recover additional taxes from the Company for the period June 2003 through September 2014. Irish legislative changes, effective as of
the beginning of 2015, eliminated the application of the tax opinions from that date forward. The Company believes the State Aid Decision to be without merit
and intends to appeal to the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Ireland has also announced its intention to appeal the State Aid
Decision. While the European Commission announced a recovery amount of up to 13 billion, plus interest, the actual amount of additional taxes subject to
recovery is to be calculated by Ireland in accordance with the European Commission's guidance. Once the recovery amount is computed by Ireland, the
Company anticipates funding it, including interest, out of foreign cash into escrow, pending conclusion of all appeals. The Company believes that any
incremental Irish corporate income taxes potentially due would be creditable against U.S. taxes.
Stock
Compensation
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment
Accounting (ASU 2016-09), which simplified certain aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income taxes, classification of
awards and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 will be effective for the Company beginning in its first quarter of 2018. The Company is
currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-09 on its consolidated financial statements.
Financial
Instruments
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities (ASU 2016-01), which updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU
2016-01 will be effective for the Company beginning in its first quarter of 2019. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2016-01 will have a material
impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
(ASU 2016-13), which modifies the measurement of expected credit losses of certain financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for the Company
beginning in its first quarter of 2021 and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have a material impact on
its consolidated financial statements.
Revenue
Recognition
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09), which amends the existing accounting
standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled
when products are transferred to customers. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company beginning in its first quarter of 2019, and early adoption is
permitted.
Subsequently, the FASB has issued the following standards related to ASU 2014-09: ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):
Principal versus Agent Considerations (ASU 2016-08); ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance
Obligations and Licensing (ASU 2016-10); and ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and
Practical Expedients (ASU 2016-12). The Company must adopt ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-12 with ASU 2014-09 (collectively, the new
revenue standards).
The new revenue standards may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date
of adoption. The Company currently expects to adopt the new revenue standards in its first quarter of 2018 utilizing the full retrospective transition method. The
Company does not expect adoption of the new revenue standards to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
The Company believes its existing balances of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to satisfy its working capital needs, capital
asset purchases, outstanding commitments and other liquidity requirements associated with its existing operations over the next 12 months. The Company
currently anticipates the cash used for future dividends, the share repurchase program and debt repayments will come from its current domestic cash, cash
generated from on-going U.S. operating activities and from borrowings.
The Companys marketable securities investment portfolio is invested primarily in highly-rated securities and its investment policy generally limits the amount of
credit exposure to any one issuer. The policy requires investments generally to be investment grade with the objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal
loss.
During 2016, cash generated from operating activities of $65.8 billion was a result of $45.7 billion of net income, non-cash adjustments to net income of $19.7
billion and an increase in the net change in operating assets and liabilities of $484 million. Cash used in investing activities of $46.0 billion during 2016 consisted
primarily of cash used for purchases of marketable securities, net of sales and maturities, of $30.6 billion and cash used to acquire property, plant and
equipment of $12.7 billion. Cash used in financing activities of $20.5 billion during 2016 consisted primarily of cash used to repurchase common stock of $29.7
billion, cash used to pay dividends and dividend equivalents of $12.2 billion and cash used to repay term debt of $2.5 billion, partially offset by net proceeds from
the issuance of term debt of $25.0 billion.
During 2015, cash generated from operating activities of $81.3 billion was a result of $53.4 billion of net income, non-cash adjustments to net income of $16.2
billion and an increase in the net change in operating assets and liabilities of $11.6 billion. Cash used in investing activities of $56.3 billion during 2015 consisted
primarily of cash used for purchases of marketable securities, net of sales and maturities, of $44.4 billion and cash used to acquire property, plant and
equipment of $11.2 billion. Cash used in financing activities of $17.7 billion during 2015 consisted primarily of cash used to repurchase common stock of $35.3
billion and cash used to pay dividends and dividend equivalents of $11.6 billion, partially offset by net proceeds from the issuance of term debt of $27.1 billion.
Capital
Assets
The Companys capital expenditures were $12.8 billion during 2016 . The Company anticipates utilizing approximately $16.0 billion for capital expenditures
during 2017 , which includes product tooling and manufacturing process equipment; data centers; corporate facilities and infrastructure, including information
systems hardware, software and enhancements; and retail store facilities.
Debt
The Company issues unsecured short-term promissory notes (Commercial Paper) pursuant to a commercial paper program. The Company uses the net
proceeds from the commercial paper program for general corporate purposes, including dividends and share repurchases. As of September 24, 2016 , the
Company had $8.1 billion of Commercial Paper outstanding, with a weighted-average interest rate of 0.45% and maturities generally less than nine months.
As of September 24, 2016 , the Company has outstanding floating- and fixed-rate notes with varying maturities for an aggregate principal amount of $78.4 billion
(collectively the Notes). During 2016, the Company repaid $2.5 billion of its Notes upon maturity. The Company has entered, and in the future may enter, into
interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk on the Notes. In addition, the Company has entered, and in the future may enter, into currency swaps to manage
foreign currency risk on the Notes. The future principal payments for the Companys Notes as of September 24, 2016 are as follows (in millions):
2017 $ 3,500
2018 6,500
2019 6,834
2020 6,454
2021 7,750
Thereafter 47,346
Total term debt $ 78,384
Further information regarding the Companys debt issuances and related hedging activity can be found in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K in the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements in Note 2, Financial Instruments and Note 6, Debt.
The following table presents the Companys dividends, dividend equivalents, share repurchases and net share settlement activity from the start of the capital
return program in August 2012 through September 24, 2016 (in millions):
The Company expects to execute its capital return program by the end of March 2018 by paying dividends and dividend equivalents, repurchasing shares and
remitting withheld taxes related to net share settlement of restricted stock units. The Company plans to continue to access the domestic and international debt
markets to assist in funding its capital return program.
The following table presents certain payments due by the Company under contractual obligations with minimum firm commitments as of September 24, 2016 ,
and excludes amounts already recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, except for term debt (in millions):
Operating
Leases
As of September 24, 2016 , the Companys total future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases were $7.6 billion . The Companys retail
store and other facility leases are typically for terms not exceeding 10 years and generally contain multi-year renewal options.
Other
Purchase
Obligations
The Companys other purchase obligations were comprised of commitments to acquire capital assets, including product tooling and manufacturing process
equipment, and commitments related to advertising, licensing, R&D, internet and telecommunications services, energy and other obligations. As of
September 24, 2016 , the Company had other purchase obligations of $6.6 billion.
The Companys other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist primarily of deferred tax liabilities, gross unrecognized tax benefits and
the related gross interest and penalties. As of September 24, 2016 , the Company had non-current deferred tax liabilities of $26.0 billion. Additionally, as of
September 24, 2016 , the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $7.7 billion and an additional $1.0 billion for gross interest and penalties classified
as non-current liabilities. At this time, the Company is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments due to uncertainties in the timing
of tax audit outcomes; therefore, such amounts are not included in the above contractual obligation table.
Indemnification
The Company generally does not indemnify end-users of its operating system and application software against legal claims that the software infringes third-party
intellectual property rights. Other agreements entered into by the Company sometimes include indemnification provisions under which the Company could be
subject to costs and/or damages in the event of an infringement claim against the Company or an indemnified third-party. In the opinion of management, there
was not at least a reasonable possibility the Company may have incurred a material loss with respect to indemnification of end-users of its operating system or
application software for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights.
The Company offers an iPhone Upgrade Program, which is available to customers who purchase a qualifying iPhone in the U.S., the U.K. and mainland China.
The iPhone Upgrade Program provides customers the right to trade in that iPhone for a specified amount when purchasing a new iPhone, provided certain
conditions are met. The Company accounts for the trade-in right as a guarantee liability and recognizes arrangement revenue net of the fair value of such right
with subsequent changes to the guarantee liability recognized within revenue.
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, the Company has agreed to
indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by law against liabilities that arise by reason of their status as directors or officers and to advance
expenses incurred by such individuals in connection with related legal proceedings. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of payments
the Company could be required to make under these agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and
circumstances involved in each claim. However, the Company maintains directors and officers liability insurance coverage to reduce its exposure to such
obligations.
Management believes the Companys critical accounting policies and estimates are those related to revenue recognition, valuation and impairment of
marketable securities, inventory valuation, valuation of manufacturing-related assets and estimation of purchase commitment cancellation fees, warranty costs,
income taxes, and legal and other contingencies. Management considers these policies critical because they are both important to the portrayal of the
Companys financial condition and operating results, and they require management to make judgments and estimates about inherently uncertain matters. The
Companys senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit and Finance Committee of the Companys
Board of Directors.
For multi-element arrangements that include hardware products containing software essential to the hardware products functionality, undelivered software
elements that relate to the hardware products essential software and/or undelivered non-software services, the Company allocates revenue to all deliverables
based on their relative selling prices. In such circumstances, the Company uses a hierarchy to determine the selling price to be used for allocating revenue to
deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (VSOE), (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (TPE) and (iii) best estimate of selling price
(ESP). VSOE generally exists only when the Company sells the deliverable separately and is the price actually charged by the Company for that deliverable.
ESPs reflect the Companys best estimates of what the selling prices of elements would be if they were sold regularly on a stand-alone basis.
For sales of qualifying versions of iOS devices, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV, the Company has indicated it may from time to time provide future unspecified
software upgrades to the devices essential software and/or non-software services free of charge. Because the Company has neither VSOE nor TPE for the
unspecified software upgrade rights or the non-software services, revenue is allocated to these rights and services based on the Companys ESPs. Revenue
allocated to the unspecified software upgrade rights and non-software services based on the Companys ESPs is deferred and recognized on a straight-line
basis over the estimated period the software upgrades and non-software services are expected to be provided.
The Companys process for determining ESPs involves managements judgment and considers multiple factors that may vary over time depending upon the
unique facts and circumstances related to each deliverable. Should future facts and circumstances change, the Companys ESPs and the future rate of related
amortization for unspecified software upgrades and non-software services related to future sales of these devices could change. Factors subject to change
include the unspecified software upgrade rights and non-software services offered, the estimated value of unspecified software upgrade rights and non-software
services and the estimated period unspecified software upgrades and non-software services are expected to be provided.
The Company records reductions to revenue for estimated commitments related to price protection and other customer incentive programs. For transactions
involving price protection, the Company recognizes revenue net of the estimated amount to be refunded, provided the refund amount can be reasonably and
reliably estimated and the other conditions for revenue recognition have been met. The Companys policy requires that, if refunds cannot be reliably estimated,
revenue is not recognized until reliable estimates can be made or the price protection lapses. For the Companys other customer incentive programs, the
estimated cost is recognized at the later of the date at which the Company has sold the product or the date at which the program is offered. The Company also
records reductions to revenue for expected future product returns based on the Companys historical experience. Future market conditions and product
transitions may require the Company to increase customer incentive programs that could result in reductions to future revenue. Additionally, certain customer
incentive programs require management to estimate the number of customers who will actually redeem the incentive. Managements estimates are based on
historical experience and the specific terms and conditions of particular incentive programs. If a greater than estimated proportion of customers redeems such
incentives, the Company would be required to record additional reductions to revenue, which would have an adverse impact on the Companys operating
results.
Inventory Valuation, Valuation of Manufacturing-Related Assets and Estimation of Purchase Commitment Cancellation Fees
The Company must purchase components and build inventory in advance of product shipments and has invested in manufacturing-related assets, including
capital assets held at its suppliers facilities. In addition, the Company has made prepayments to certain of its suppliers associated with long-term supply
agreements to secure supply of inventory components. The Company records a write-down for inventories of components and products, including third-party
products held for resale, which have become obsolete or are in excess of anticipated demand or net realizable value. The Company performs a detailed review
of inventory that considers multiple factors including demand forecasts, product life cycle status, product development plans, current sales levels and component
cost trends. The Company also reviews its manufacturing-related capital assets and inventory prepayments for impairment whenever events or circumstances
indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If the Company determines that an asset is not recoverable, it records an impairment loss
equal to the amount by which the carrying value of such an asset exceeds its fair value.
The industries in which the Company competes are subject to a rapid and unpredictable pace of product and component obsolescence and demand changes. In
certain circumstances the Company may be required to record additional write-downs of inventory and/or impairments of manufacturing-related assets or
inventory prepayments. These circumstances include future demand or market conditions for the Companys products being less favorable than forecasted,
unforeseen technological changes or changes to the Companys product development plans that negatively impact the utility of any of these assets, or
significant deterioration in the financial condition of one or more of the Companys suppliers that hold any of the Companys manufacturing-related assets or to
whom the Company has made an inventory prepayment. Such write-downs would adversely affect the Companys financial condition and operating results in the
period when the additional write-downs were recorded.
The Company accrues for estimated purchase commitment cancellation fees related to inventory orders that have been cancelled or are expected to be
cancelled. Consistent with industry practice, the Company acquires components through a combination of purchase orders, supplier contracts, and open orders
in each case based on projected demand. Manufacturing purchase obligations typically cover the Companys forecasted component and manufacturing
requirements for periods up to 150 days. If there is an abrupt and substantial decline in demand for one or more of the Companys products, a change in the
Companys product development plans, or an unanticipated change in technological requirements for any of the Companys products, the Company may be
required to record additional accruals for cancellation fees that would adversely affect its results of operations in the period when the cancellation fees were
identified and recorded.
Warranty Costs
The Company accrues for the estimated cost of warranties in the period the related revenue is recognized based on historical and projected warranty claim
rates, historical and projected cost-per-claim and knowledge of specific product failures that are outside of the Companys typical experience. The Company
regularly reviews these estimates and the current installed base of products subject to warranty protection to assess the appropriateness of its recorded
warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary. If actual product failure rates or repair costs differ from estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty
liabilities would be required and could materially affect the Companys financial condition and operating results.
The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the
taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured
based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Management believes it is more likely than not that forecasted income, including income that may be generated as a result of certain tax planning strategies,
together with future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, will be sufficient to fully recover the deferred tax assets. In the event that the Company
determines all or part of the net deferred tax assets are not realizable in the future, the Company will record an adjustment to the valuation allowance that would
be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the
impact of uncertainties in the application of GAAP and complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with managements
expectations could have a material impact on the Companys financial condition and operating results.
The Companys investment policy and strategy are focused on preservation of capital and supporting the Companys liquidity requirements. The Company uses
a combination of internal and external management to execute its investment strategy and achieve its investment objectives. The Company typically invests in
highly-rated securities, and its investment policy generally limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. The policy requires investments generally to be
investment grade, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. To provide a meaningful assessment of the interest rate risk
associated with the Companys investment portfolio, the Company performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the impact a change in interest rates would have
on the value of the investment portfolio assuming a 100 basis point parallel shift in the yield curve. Based on investment positions as of September 24, 2016 and
September 26, 2015 , a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates across all maturities would result in a $4.9 billion and $4.3 billion incremental
decline in the fair market value of the portfolio, respectively. Such losses would only be realized if the Company sold the investments prior to maturity.
As of September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , the Company had outstanding floating- and fixed-rate notes with varying maturities for an aggregate
carrying amount of $78.9 billion and $55.8 billion, respectively. The Company has entered, and may enter in the future, into interest rate swaps to manage
interest rate risk on its outstanding term debt. Interest rate swaps allow the Company to effectively convert fixed-rate payments into floating-rate payments or
floating-rate payments into fixed-rate payments. Gains and losses on these instruments are generally offset by the corresponding losses and gains on the
related hedging instrument. A 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would cause interest expense on the Companys debt as of September 24, 2016
and September 26, 2015 to increase by $271 million and $200 million on an annualized basis, respectively.
Further details regarding the Companys debt is provided in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Note 6, Debt.
The Company may enter into foreign currency forward and option contracts with financial institutions to protect against foreign exchange risks associated with
certain existing assets and liabilities, certain firmly committed transactions, forecasted future cash flows and net investments in foreign subsidiaries. In addition,
the Company has entered, and may enter in the future, into non-designated foreign currency contracts to partially offset the foreign currency exchange gains
and losses on its foreign-denominated debt issuances. The Companys practice is to hedge a portion of its material foreign exchange exposures, typically for up
to 12 months. However, the Company may choose not to hedge certain foreign exchange exposures for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to
accounting considerations and the prohibitive economic cost of hedging particular exposures.
Actual future gains and losses associated with the Companys investment portfolio and derivative positions may differ materially from the sensitivity analyses
performed as of September 24, 2016 due to the inherent limitations associated with predicting the timing and amount of changes in interest rates, foreign
currency exchanges rates and the Companys actual exposures and positions.
All financial statement schedules have been omitted, since the required information is not applicable or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission
of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
Years ended
September 24, September 26, September 27,
2016 2015 2014
Net sales $ 215,639 $ 233,715 $ 182,795
Cost of sales 131,376 140,089 112,258
Gross margin 84,263 93,626 70,537
Operating expenses:
Research and development 10,045 8,067 6,041
Selling, general and administrative 14,194 14,329 11,993
Total operating expenses 24,239 22,396 18,034
Operating income 60,024 71,230 52,503
Other income/(expense), net 1,348 1,285 980
Income before provision for income taxes 61,372 72,515 53,483
Provision for income taxes 15,685 19,121 13,973
Net income $ 45,687 $ 53,394 $ 39,510
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 8.35 $ 9.28 $ 6.49
Diluted $ 8.31 $ 9.22 $ 6.45
Shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic 5,470,820 5,753,421 6,085,572
Diluted 5,500,281 5,793,069 6,122,663
Cash dividends declared per share $ 2.18 $ 1.98 $ 1.82
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 7 2,905 1,390
Adjustment for net (gains)/losses realized and included in net income, net of tax
expense/(benefit) of $131, $630 and $(36), respectively (741) (3,497) 149
Total change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative 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 1,582 (483) 285
Adjustment for net (gains)/losses realized and included in net income, net of tax
expense/(benefit) of $(31), $(32) and $71, respectively 56 59 (134)
Total change in unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities, net of tax 1,638 (424) 151
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 979 (1,427) 1,553
Total comprehensive income $ 46,666 $ 51,967 $ 41,063
Years ended
September 24, September 26, September 27,
2016 2015 2014
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year $ 21,120 $ 13,844 $ 14,259
Operating activities:
Net income 45,687 53,394 39,510
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash generated by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 10,505 11,257 7,946
Share-based compensation expense 4,210 3,586 2,863
Deferred income tax expense 4,938 1,382 2,347
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net 1,095 611 (4,232)
Inventories 217 (238) (76)
Vendor non-trade receivables (51) (3,735) (2,220)
Other current and non-current assets 1,090 (179) 167
Accounts payable 1,791 5,400 5,938
Deferred revenue (1,554) 1,042 1,460
Other current and non-current liabilities (2,104) 8,746 6,010
Cash generated by operating activities 65,824 81,266 59,713
Investing activities:
Purchases of marketable securities (142,428) (166,402) (217,128)
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities 21,258 14,538 18,810
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities 90,536 107,447 189,301
Payments made in connection with business acquisitions, net (297) (343) (3,765)
Payments for acquisition of property, plant and equipment (12,734) (11,247) (9,571)
Payments for acquisition of intangible assets (814) (241) (242)
Payments for strategic investments (1,388) (10)
Other (110) (26) 26
Cash used in investing activities (45,977) (56,274) (22,579)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 495 543 730
Excess tax benefits from equity awards 407 749 739
Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards (1,570) (1,499) (1,158)
Payments for dividends and dividend equivalents (12,150) (11,561) (11,126)
Repurchases of common stock (29,722) (35,253) (45,000)
Proceeds from issuance of term debt, net 24,954 27,114 11,960
Repayments of term debt (2,500)
Change in commercial paper, net (397) 2,191 6,306
Cash used in financing activities (20,483) (17,716) (37,549)
Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (636) 7,276 (415)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year $ 20,484 $ 21,120 $ 13,844
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
Cash paid for income taxes, net $ 10,444 $ 13,252 $ 10,026
Cash paid for interest $ 1,316 $ 514 $ 339
The Companys fiscal year is the 52 or 53 -week period that ends on the last Saturday of September. The Companys fiscal years 2016 , 2015 and 2014 ended
on September 24, 2016 , September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014 , respectively, and each spanned 52 weeks. An additional week is included in the first
fiscal quarter approximately every five or six years to realign fiscal quarters with calendar quarters, which will next occur in the first quarter of the Company's
fiscal year ending September 30, 2017. Unless otherwise stated, references to particular years, quarters, months and periods refer to the Companys fiscal
years ended in September and the associated quarters, months and periods of those fiscal years.
During 2016, the Company adopted an accounting standard that simplified the presentation of deferred income taxes by requiring deferred tax assets and
liabilities be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The Company has adopted this accounting standard prospectively;
accordingly, the prior period amounts in the Companys Consolidated Balance Sheets within this Annual Report on Form 10-K were not adjusted to conform to
the new accounting standard. The adoption of this accounting standard was not material to the Companys consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Net sales consist primarily of revenue from the sale of hardware, software, digital content and applications, accessories, and service and support contracts. The
Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection
is probable. Product is considered delivered to the customer once it has been shipped and title, risk of loss and rewards of ownership have been transferred. For
most of the Companys product sales, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped. For online sales to individuals, for some sales to education
customers in the U.S., and for certain other sales, the Company defers revenue until the customer receives the product because the Company retains a portion
of the risk of loss on these sales during transit. For payment terms in excess of the Companys standard payment terms, revenue is recognized as payments
become due unless the Company has positive evidence that the sales price is fixed or determinable, such as a successful history of collection, without
concession, on comparable arrangements. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of hardware products, software bundled with hardware that is
essential to the functionality of the hardware and third-party digital content sold on the iTunes Store in accordance with general revenue recognition accounting
guidance. The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with industry specific software accounting guidance for the following types of sales transactions:
(i) standalone sales of software products, (ii) sales of software upgrades and (iii) sales of software bundled with hardware not essential to the functionality of the
hardware.
For the sale of most third-party products, the Company recognizes revenue based on the gross amount billed to customers because the Company establishes
its own pricing for such products, retains related inventory risk for physical products, is the primary obligor to the customer and assumes the credit risk for
amounts billed to its customers. For third-party applications sold through the App Store and Mac App Store and certain digital content sold through the iTunes
Store, the Company does not determine the selling price of the products and is not the primary obligor to the customer. Therefore, the Company accounts for
such sales on a net basis by recognizing in net sales only the commission it retains from each sale. The portion of the gross amount billed to customers that is
remitted by the Company to third-party app developers and certain digital content owners is not reflected in the Companys Consolidated Statements of
Operations.
The Company records reductions to revenue for estimated commitments related to price protection and other customer incentive programs. For transactions
involving price protection, the Company recognizes revenue net of the estimated amount to be refunded. For the Companys other customer incentive programs,
the estimated cost of these programs is recognized at the later of the date at which the Company has sold the product or the date at which the program is
offered. The Company also records reductions to revenue for expected future product returns based on the Companys historical experience. Revenue is
recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities, with the collected taxes recorded as current liabilities until remitted
to the relevant government authority.
Revenue
Recognition
for
Arrangements
with
Multiple
Deliverables
For multi-element arrangements that include hardware products containing software essential to the hardware products functionality, undelivered software
elements that relate to the hardware products essential software, and undelivered non-software services, the Company allocates revenue to all deliverables
based on their relative selling prices. In such circumstances, the Company uses a hierarchy to determine the selling price to be used for allocating revenue to
deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (VSOE), (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (TPE) and (iii) best estimate of selling price
(ESP). VSOE generally exists only when the Company sells the deliverable separately and is the price actually charged by the Company for that deliverable.
ESPs reflect the Companys best estimates of what the selling prices of elements would be if they were sold regularly on a stand-alone basis. For multi-element
arrangements accounted for in accordance with industry specific software accounting guidance, the Company allocates revenue to all deliverables based on the
VSOE of each element, and if VSOE does not exist revenue is recognized when elements lacking VSOE are delivered.
For sales of qualifying versions of iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV, the Company has indicated it may from time to time provide future
unspecified software upgrades to the devices essential software and/or non-software services free of charge. The Company has identified up to three
deliverables regularly included in arrangements involving the sale of these devices. The first deliverable, which represents the substantial portion of the allocated
sales price, is the hardware and software essential to the functionality of the hardware device delivered at the time of sale. The second deliverable is the
embedded right included with qualifying devices to receive on a when-and-if-available basis, future unspecified software upgrades relating to the products
essential software. The third deliverable is the non-software services to be provided to qualifying devices. The Company allocates revenue between these
deliverables using the relative selling price method. Because the Company has neither VSOE nor TPE for these deliverables, the allocation of revenue is based
on the Companys ESPs. Revenue allocated to the delivered hardware and the related essential software is recognized at the time of sale provided the other
conditions for revenue recognition have been met. Revenue allocated to the embedded unspecified software upgrade rights and the non-software services is
deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated period the software upgrades and non-software services are expected to be provided. Cost
of sales related to delivered hardware and related essential software, including estimated warranty costs, are recognized at the time of sale. Costs incurred to
provide non-software services are recognized as cost of sales as incurred, and engineering and sales and marketing costs are recognized as operating
expenses as incurred.
The Companys process for determining its ESP for deliverables without VSOE or TPE considers multiple factors that may vary depending upon the unique facts
and circumstances related to each deliverable including, where applicable, prices charged by the Company and market trends in the pricing for similar offerings,
product specific business objectives, length of time a particular version of a device has been available, estimated cost to provide the non-software services and
the relative ESP of the upgrade rights and non-software services as compared to the total selling price of the product.
Shipping Costs
Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are classified as revenue, and the Companys shipping and handling costs are classified as cost of
sales.
Warranty Costs
The Company generally provides for the estimated cost of hardware and software warranties in the period the related revenue is recognized. The Company
assesses the adequacy of its accrued warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary based on actual experience and changes in future estimates.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Share-based Compensation
The Company recognizes expense related to share-based payment transactions in which it receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of
the Company or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the Companys equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity
instruments. Share-based compensation cost for restricted stock and restricted stock units (RSUs) is measured based on the closing fair market value of the
Companys common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes share-based compensation cost over the awards requisite service period on a
straight-line basis for time-based RSUs and on a graded basis for RSUs that are contingent on the achievement of performance conditions. The Company
recognizes a benefit from share-based compensation in the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity if an excess tax benefit is realized. In addition, the
Company recognizes the indirect effects of share-based compensation on R&D tax credits, foreign tax credits and domestic manufacturing deductions in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations. Further information regarding share-based compensation can be found in Note 9, Benefit Plans.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected
future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for operating losses and tax credit
carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which
those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount
that is believed more likely than not to be realized.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the
taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured
based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. See Note 5, Income Taxes for additional information.
Potentially dilutive securities whose effect would have been antidilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.
Financial Instruments
Cash
Equivalents
and
Marketable
Securities
All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents. The Companys marketable debt
and equity securities have been classified and accounted for as available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at
the time of purchase and reevaluates the classifications at each balance sheet date. The Company classifies its marketable debt securities as either short-term
or long-term based on each instruments underlying contractual maturity date. Marketable debt securities with maturities of 12 months or less are classified as
short-term and marketable debt securities with maturities greater than 12 months are classified as long-term. Marketable equity securities, including mutual
funds, are classified as either short-term or long-term based on the nature of each security and its availability for use in current operations. The Companys
marketable debt and equity securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of accumulated other
comprehensive income (AOCI) in shareholders equity, with the exception of unrealized losses believed to be other-than-temporary which are reported in
earnings in the current period. The cost of securities sold is based upon the specific identification method.
Derivative
Financial
Instruments
The Company accounts for its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities and carries them at fair value.
For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of
the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of AOCI in shareholders equity and reclassified into earnings in the same period or
periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in
earnings in the current period. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash
flows on hedged transactions. For options designated as cash flow hedges, changes in the time value are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness
and are recognized in earnings.
For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability and that are designated as fair value hedges, both the
net gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item are recognized in earnings in the current period.
For derivative instruments and foreign currency debt that hedge the exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates used for translation of the net
investment in a foreign operation and that are designated as a net investment hedge, the net gain or loss on the effective portion of the derivative instrument is
reported in the same manner as a foreign currency translation adjustment. For forward exchange contracts designated as net investment hedges, the Company
excludes changes in fair value relating to changes in the forward carry component from its definition of effectiveness. Accordingly, any gains or losses related to
this forward carry component are recognized in earnings in the current period.
Derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are adjusted to fair value through earnings in the current period.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, computed using the first-in, first-out method and net realizable value. Any adjustments to reduce the cost of
inventories to their net realizable value are recognized in earnings in the current period. As of September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , the Companys
inventories consist primarily of finished goods.
The Company does not amortize goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, rather such assets are required to be tested for impairment at least
annually or sooner whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. The Company performs its goodwill and intangible
asset impairment tests in the fourth quarter of each year. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges related to goodwill or indefinite lived
intangible assets during 2016 , 2015 and 2014 . For purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, the Company established reporting units based on its current
reporting structure. Goodwill has been allocated to these reporting units to the extent it relates to each reporting unit. In 2016 and 2015 , the Companys goodwill
was primarily allocated to the Americas and Europe reporting units.
The Company amortizes its intangible assets with definite useful lives over their estimated useful lives and reviews these assets for impairment. The Company
typically amortizes its acquired intangible assets with definite useful lives over periods from three to seven years .
Level
2
Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities
in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level
3
Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect managements estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the
asset or liability.
In accordance with the fair value accounting requirements, companies may choose to measure eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.
The Company has not elected the fair value option for any eligible financial instruments.
2016
Cash and Short-Term Long-Term
Adjusted Unrealized Unrealized Fair Cash Marketable Marketable
Cost Gains Losses Value Equivalents Securities Securities
Cash $ 8,601 $ $ $ 8,601 $ 8,601 $ $
Level 1:
Money market funds 3,666 3,666 3,666
Mutual funds 1,407 (146) 1,261 1,261
Subtotal 5,073 (146) 4,927 3,666 1,261
Level 2:
U.S. Treasury securities 41,697 319 (4) 42,012 1,527 13,492 26,993
U.S. agency securities 7,543 16 7,559 2,762 2,441 2,356
Non-U.S. government securities 7,609 259 (27) 7,841 110 818 6,913
Certificates of deposit and time
deposits 6,598 6,598 1,108 3,897 1,593
Commercial paper 7,433 7,433 2,468 4,965
Corporate securities 131,166 1,409 (206) 132,369 242 19,599 112,528
Municipal securities 956 5 961 167 794
Mortgage- and asset-backed
securities 19,134 178 (28) 19,284 31 19,253
Subtotal 222,136 2,186 (265) 224,057 8,217 45,410 170,430
Total $ 235,810 $ 2,186 $ (411) $ 237,585 $ 20,484 $ 46,671 $ 170,430
The Company may sell certain of its marketable securities prior to their stated maturities for strategic reasons including, but not limited to, anticipation of credit
deterioration and duration management. The maturities of the Companys long-term marketable securities generally range from one to five years .
The Company considers the declines in market value of its marketable securities investment portfolio to be temporary in nature. The Company typically invests
in highly-rated securities, and its investment policy generally limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. The policy generally requires investments to
be investment grade, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. Fair values were determined for each individual security in the
investment portfolio. When evaluating an investment for other-than-temporary impairment the Company reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to
which fair value has been below its cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and any changes thereto, changes in market interest rates and the
Companys intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the investments cost basis. As of
September 24, 2016 , the Company does not consider any of its investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
To help protect gross margins from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, certain of the Companys subsidiaries whose functional currency is the U.S.
dollar may hedge a portion of forecasted foreign currency revenue, and subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar and who sell in local
currencies may hedge a portion of forecasted inventory purchases not denominated in the subsidiaries functional currencies. The Company may enter into
forward contracts, option contracts or other instruments to manage this risk and may designate these instruments as cash flow hedges. The Company typically
hedges portions of its forecasted foreign currency exposure associated with revenue and inventory purchases, typically for up to 12 months .
The Company may also enter into non-designated foreign currency contracts to partially offset the foreign currency exchange gains and losses generated by the
re-measurement of certain assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies.
The Company may enter into interest rate swaps, options, or other instruments to manage interest rate risk. These instruments may offset a portion of changes
in income or expense, or changes in fair value of the Companys term debt or investments. The Company designates these instruments as either cash flow or
fair value hedges. The Companys hedged interest rate transactions as of September 24, 2016 are expected to be recognized within 10 years .
Cash
Flow
Hedges
The effective portions of cash flow hedges are recorded in AOCI until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Deferred gains and losses associated with cash
flow hedges of foreign currency revenue are recognized as a component of net sales in the same period as the related revenue is recognized, and deferred
gains and losses related to cash flow hedges of inventory purchases are recognized as a component of cost of sales in the same period as the related costs are
recognized. Deferred gains and losses associated with cash flow hedges of interest income or expense are recognized in other income/(expense), net in the
same period as the related income or expense is recognized. The ineffective portions and amounts excluded from the effectiveness testing of cash flow hedges
are recognized in other income/(expense), net.
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges must be de-designated as hedges when it is probable the forecasted hedged transaction will not occur in
the initially identified time period or within a subsequent two-month time period. Deferred gains and losses in AOCI associated with such derivative instruments
are reclassified immediately into other income/(expense), net. Any subsequent changes in fair value of such derivative instruments are reflected in other
income/(expense), net unless they are re-designated as hedges of other transactions.
Net
Investment
Hedges
The effective portions of net investment hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI) as a part of the cumulative translation adjustment. The
ineffective portions and amounts excluded from the effectiveness testing of net investment hedges are recognized in other income/(expense), net.
Fair
Value
Hedges
Gains and losses related to changes in fair value hedges are recognized in earnings along with a corresponding loss or gain related to the change in value of
the underlying hedged item.
Non-Designated
Derivatives
Derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments are adjusted to fair value through earnings in the financial statement line item to which the derivative
relates.
The Company records all derivatives in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The Companys accounting treatment for these derivative instruments is
based on its hedge designation. The following tables show the Companys derivative instruments at gross fair value as of September 24, 2016 and
September 26, 2015 (in millions):
2016
Fair Value of Fair Value of
Derivatives Designated Derivatives Not Designated Total
as Hedge Instruments as Hedge Instruments Fair Value
Derivative assets (1) :
Foreign exchange contracts $ 518 $ 153 $ 671
Interest rate contracts $ 728 $ $ 728
(2) :
Derivative liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts $ 935 $ 134 $ 1,069
Interest rate contracts $ 7 $ $ 7
(1) The fair value of derivative assets is measured using Level 2 fair value inputs and is recorded as other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2) The fair value of derivative liabilities is measured using Level 2 fair value inputs and is recorded as accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table shows the pre-tax gains and losses of the Companys derivative and non-derivative instruments designated as cash flow, net investment and
fair value hedges on OCI and the Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
2016 2015
Notional Credit Risk Notional Credit Risk
Amount Amount Amount Amount
Instruments designated as accounting hedges:
Foreign exchange contracts $ 44,678 $ 518 $ 70,054 $ 1,385
Interest rate contracts $ 24,500 $ 728 $ 18,750 $ 394
Instruments not designated as accounting hedges:
Foreign exchange contracts $ 54,305 $ 153 $ 49,190 $ 109
The notional amounts for outstanding derivative instruments provide one measure of the transaction volume outstanding and do not represent the amount of the
Companys exposure to credit or market loss. The credit risk amounts represent the Companys gross exposure to potential accounting loss on derivative
instruments that are outstanding or unsettled if all counterparties failed to perform according to the terms of the contract, based on then-current currency or
interest rates at each respective date. The Companys exposure to credit loss and market risk will vary over time as currency and interest rates change.
Although the table above reflects the notional and credit risk amounts of the Companys derivative instruments, it does not reflect the gains or losses associated
with the exposures and transactions that the instruments are intended to hedge. The amounts ultimately realized upon settlement of these financial instruments,
together with the gains and losses on the underlying exposures, will depend on actual market conditions during the remaining life of the instruments.
The Company generally enters into master netting arrangements, which are designed to reduce credit risk by permitting net settlement of transactions with the
same counterparty. To further limit credit risk, the Company generally enters into collateral security arrangements that provide for collateral to be received or
posted when the net fair value of certain financial instruments fluctuates from contractually established thresholds. The Company presents its derivative assets
and derivative liabilities at their gross fair values in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net cash collateral received by the Company related to derivative
instruments under its collateral security arrangements was $163 million as of September 24, 2016 and $1.0 billion as of September 26, 2015 , which were
recorded as accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Under master netting arrangements with the respective counterparties to the Companys derivative contracts, the Company is allowed to net settle transactions
with a single net amount payable by one party to the other. As of September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , the potential effects of these rights of set-off
associated with the Companys derivative contracts, including the effects of collateral, would be a reduction to both derivative assets and derivative liabilities of
$1.5 billion and $2.2 billion , respectively, resulting in a net derivative asset of $160 million and a net derivative liability of $78 million , respectively.
Accounts Receivable
Trade
Receivables
The Company has considerable trade receivables outstanding with its third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, value-added resellers, small
and mid-sized businesses and education, enterprise and government customers. The Company generally does not require collateral from its customers;
however, the Company will require collateral in certain instances to limit credit risk. In addition, when possible, the Company attempts to limit credit risk on trade
receivables with credit insurance for certain customers or by requiring third-party financing, loans or leases to support credit exposure. These credit-financing
arrangements are directly between the third-party financing company and the end customer. As such, the Company generally does not assume any recourse or
credit risk sharing related to any of these arrangements.
As of September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , the Company had one customer that represented 10% or more of total trade receivables, which accounted
for 10% and 12% , respectively. The Companys cellular network carriers accounted for 63% and 71% of trade receivables as of September 24, 2016 and
September 26, 2015 , respectively.
Vendor
Non-Trade
Receivables
The Company has non-trade receivables from certain of its manufacturing vendors resulting from the sale of components to these vendors who manufacture
sub-assemblies or assemble final products for the Company. The Company purchases these components directly from suppliers. Vendor non-trade receivables
from two of the Companys vendors accounted for 47% and 21% of total vendor non-trade receivables as of September 24, 2016 and three of the Companys
vendors accounted for 38% , 18% and 14% of total vendor non-trade receivables as of September 26, 2015 .
2016 2015
Land and buildings $ 10,185 $ 6,956
Machinery, equipment and internal-use software 44,543 37,038
Leasehold improvements 6,517 5,263
Gross property, plant and equipment 61,245 49,257
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (34,235) (26,786)
Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 27,010 $ 22,471
2016 2015
Deferred tax liabilities $ 26,019 $ 24,062
Other non-current liabilities 10,055 9,365
Total other non-current liabilities $ 36,074 $ 33,427
2016 2015
Gross Net
Carrying Accumulated Carrying Gross Accumulated Net
Amount Amortization Amount Carrying Amount Amortization Carrying Amount
Definite-lived and amortizable acquired
intangible assets $ 8,912 $ (5,806) $ 3,106 $ 8,125 $ (4,332) $ 3,793
Indefinite-lived and non-amortizable
acquired intangible assets 100 100 100 100
Total acquired intangible assets $ 9,012 $ (5,806) $ 3,206 $ 8,225 $ (4,332) $ 3,893
2017 $ 1,197
2018 902
2019 449
2020 255
2021 175
Thereafter 128
Total $ 3,106
The foreign provision for income taxes is based on foreign pre-tax earnings of $41.1 billion , $47.6 billion and $33.6 billion in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The Companys consolidated financial statements provide for any related tax liability on undistributed earnings that the Company does not intend to be
indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. Substantially all of the Companys undistributed international earnings intended to be indefinitely reinvested in operations
outside the U.S. were generated by subsidiaries organized in Ireland, which has a statutory tax rate of 12.5% . As of September 24, 2016 , U.S. income taxes
have not been provided on a cumulative total of $109.8 billion of such earnings. The amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these temporary
differences is estimated to be $35.9 billion .
As of September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , $216.0 billion and $186.9 billion , respectively, of the Companys cash, cash equivalents and marketable
securities were held by foreign subsidiaries and are generally based in U.S. dollar-denominated holdings. Amounts held by foreign subsidiaries are generally
subject to U.S. income taxation on repatriation to the U.S.
The Companys income taxes payable have been reduced by the tax benefits from employee stock plan awards. For RSUs, the Company receives an income
tax benefit upon the awards vesting equal to the tax effect of the underlying stocks fair market value. The Company had net excess tax benefits from equity
awards of $379 million , $748 million and $706 million in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, which were reflected as increases to common stock.
As of September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , the significant components of the Companys deferred tax assets and liabilities were (in millions):
2016 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued liabilities and other reserves $ 4,135 $ 4,205
Basis of capital assets 2,107 2,238
Deferred revenue 1,717 1,941
Deferred cost sharing 667 667
Share-based compensation 601 575
Unrealized losses 564
Other 788 721
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $0 10,015 10,911
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries 31,436 26,868
Other 485 303
Total deferred tax liabilities 31,921 27,171
Net deferred tax liabilities $ (21,906) $ (16,260)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the effects of tax losses, credits and the future income tax effects of temporary differences between the consolidated
financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates that apply to
taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
As of September 24, 2016 , the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $7.7 billion , of which $2.8 billion , if recognized, would affect the
Companys effective tax rate. As of September 26, 2015 , the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $6.9 billion , of which $2.5 billion , if
recognized, would affect the Companys effective tax rate.
The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes. As of September 24, 2016 and
September 26, 2015 , the total amount of gross interest and penalties accrued was $1.0 billion and $1.3 billion , respectively, which is classified as non-current
liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In connection with tax matters, the Company recognized interest and penalty expense in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 of
$295 million , $709 million and $40 million , respectively.
The Company is subject to taxation and files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in many state and foreign jurisdictions. During the fourth
quarter of 2016, the Company reached a partial settlement with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) on its examination of the years 2010 through
2012. In connection with this settlement, the Company recognized a tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2016 that was not significant to its consolidated financial
statements. All years prior to 2013 are closed, except for the years 2010 through 2012 relating to R&D tax credits. In addition, the Company is subject to audits
by state, local and foreign tax authorities. In major states and major foreign jurisdictions, the years subsequent to 2003 generally remain open and could be
subject to examination by the taxing authorities.
The Company believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax
audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in the Companys tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with its expectations, the
Company could be required to adjust its provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs. Although timing of the resolution and/or closure of
audits is not certain, the Company believes it is reasonably possible that its gross unrecognized tax benefits could decrease (whether by payment, release or a
combination of both) in the next 12 months by up to $850 million .
On August 30, 2016, the European Commission announced its decision that Ireland granted state aid to the Company by providing tax opinions in 1991 and
2007 concerning the tax allocation of profits of the Irish branches of two subsidiaries of the Company (the "State Aid Decision"). The State Aid Decision orders
Ireland to calculate and recover additional taxes from the Company for the period June 2003 through September 2014. Irish legislative changes, effective as of
the beginning of 2015, eliminated the application of the tax opinions from that date forward. The Company believes the State Aid Decision to be without merit
and intends to appeal to the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Ireland has also announced its intention to appeal the State Aid
Decision. While the European Commission announced a recovery amount of up to 13 billion , plus interest, the actual amount of additional taxes subject to
recovery is to be calculated by Ireland in accordance with the European Commission's guidance. Once the recovery amount is computed by Ireland, the
Company anticipates funding it, including interest, out of foreign cash into escrow, pending conclusion of all appeals. The Company believes that any
incremental Irish corporate income taxes potentially due would be creditable against U.S. taxes.
Commercial Paper
The Company issues unsecured short-term promissory notes (Commercial Paper) pursuant to a commercial paper program. The Company uses net proceeds
from the commercial paper program for general corporate purposes, including dividends and share repurchases. As of September 24, 2016 and September 26,
2015 , the Company had $8.1 billion and $8.5 billion of Commercial Paper outstanding, respectively, with maturities generally less than nine months . The
weighted-average interest rate of the Companys Commercial Paper was 0.45% as of September 24, 2016 and 0.14% as of September 26, 2015 .
The following table provides a summary of cash flows associated with the issuance and maturities of Commercial Paper for 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
2016 2015
Maturities less than 90 days:
Proceeds from (repayments of) commercial paper, net $ (869) $ 5,293
Maturities greater than 90 days:
Proceeds from commercial paper 3,632 3,851
Repayments of commercial paper (3,160) (6,953)
Maturities greater than 90 days, net 472 (3,102)
Total change in commercial paper, net $ (397) $ 2,191
Long-Term Debt
As of September 24, 2016 , the Company had outstanding floating- and fixed-rate notes with varying maturities for an aggregate principal amount of $78.4 billion
(collectively the Notes). The Notes are senior unsecured obligations, and interest is payable in arrears, quarterly for the U.S. dollar-denominated and Australian
dollar-denominated floating-rate notes, semi-annually for the U.S. dollar-denominated, Australian dollar-denominated, British pound-denominated and Japanese
yen-denominated fixed-rate notes and annually for the euro-denominated and Swiss franc-denominated fixed-rate notes.
2016 2015
Amount Effective Amount Effective
Maturities (in millions) Interest Rate (in millions) Interest Rate
2013 debt issuance of $17.0 billion:
Floating-rate notes 2018 $ 2,000 1.10% $ 3,000 0.51% - 1.10%
Fixed-rate 1.000% - 3.850% notes 2018 - 2043 12,500 1.08% - 3.91% 14,000 0.51% - 3.91%
2014 debt issuance of $12.0 billion:
Floating-rate notes 2017 - 2019 2,000 0.86% - 1.09% 2,000 0.37% - 0.60%
Fixed-rate 1.050% - 4.450% notes 2017 - 2044 10,000 0.85% - 4.48% 10,000 0.37% - 4.48%
2015 debt issuances of $27.3 billion:
Floating-rate notes 2017 - 2020 1,781 0.87% - 1.87% 1,743 0.36% - 1.87%
Fixed-rate 0.350% - 4.375% notes 2017 - 2045 25,144 0.28% - 4.51% 24,958 0.28% - 4.51%
Second quarter 2016 debt issuance of $15.5 billion:
Floating-rate notes 2019 500 1.64%
Third quarter 2016 debt issuance of $1.4 billion:
Fixed-rate 4.150% notes
2046 1,377 4.15%
Fourth quarter 2016 debt issuance of $7.0 billion:
Floating-rate notes 2019 350 0.91%
To manage foreign currency risk associated with the Australian dollar-denominated notes issued in the third quarter of 2016, the Company entered into currency
swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $1.0 billion , which effectively converted these notes to U.S. dollar-denominated notes.
To manage interest rate risk on the U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-rate notes issued in the second quarter of 2016 and maturing in 2021, 2023 and 2026, the
Company entered into interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $5.0 billion . To manage interest rate risk on the U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-
rate notes issued in the fourth quarter of 2016 and maturing in 2021 and 2026, the Company entered into interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount
of $1.8 billion . These interest rate swaps effectively converted a portion of the U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-rate notes to floating interest rate notes.
The effective interest rates for the Notes include the interest on the Notes, amortization of the discount and, if applicable, adjustments related to hedging. The
Company recognized $1.4 billion , $722 million and $381 million of interest expense on its term debt for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively.
The future principal payments for the Companys Notes as of September 24, 2016 are as follows (in millions):
2017 $ 3,500
2018 6,500
2019 6,834
2020 6,454
2021 7,750
Thereafter 47,346
Total term debt $ 78,384
As of September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , the fair value of the Companys Notes, based on Level 2 inputs, was $81.7 billion and $54.9 billion ,
respectively.
Dividends
The Company declared and paid cash dividends per share during the periods presented as follows:
Dividends Amount
Per Share (in millions)
2016:
Fourth quarter $ 0.57 $ 3,071
Third quarter 0.57 3,117
Second quarter 0.52 2,879
First quarter 0.52 2,898
Total cash dividends declared and paid $ 2.18 $ 11,965
2015:
Fourth quarter $ 0.52 $ 2,950
Third quarter 0.52 2,997
Second quarter 0.47 2,734
First quarter 0.47 2,750
Total cash dividends declared and paid $ 1.98 $ 11,431
The following table shows the Companys ASR activity and related information during the years ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 :
(1) Number of Shares represents those shares delivered in the beginning of the purchase period and does not represent the final number of shares to be delivered
under the ASR. The total number of shares ultimately delivered, and therefore the average repurchase price paid per share, will be determined at the end of the
purchase period based on the volume-weighted average price of the Companys common stock during that period. The August 2016 ASR purchase period will end in
or before November 2016.
(2) Includes 48.2 million shares delivered and retired at the beginning of the purchase period, which began in the third quarter of 2016, and 12.3 million shares delivered
and retired at the end of the purchase period, which concluded in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Additionally, the Company repurchased shares of its common stock in the open market, which were retired upon repurchase, during the periods presented as
follows:
Number of Average
Shares Repurchase Amount
(in thousands) Price Per Share (in millions)
2016:
Fourth quarter 28,579 $ 104.97 $ 3,000
Third quarter 41,238 $ 97.00 4,000
Second quarter 71,766 $ 97.54 7,000
First quarter 25,984 $ 115.45 3,000
Total open market common stock repurchases 167,567 $ 17,000
2015:
Fourth quarter 121,802 $ 115.15 $ 14,026
Third quarter 31,231 $ 128.08 4,000
Second quarter 56,400 $ 124.11 7,000
First quarter 45,704 $ 109.40 5,000
Total open market common stock repurchases 255,137 $ 30,026
The following table shows the changes in AOCI by component for 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
Unrealized Unrealized
Cumulative Foreign Gains/Losses Gains/Losses
Currency on Derivative on Marketable
Translation Instruments Securities Total
Balance at September 27, 2014 $ (242) $ 1,364 $ (40) $ 1,082
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (612) 3,346 (747) 1,987
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (4,127) 91 (4,036)
Tax effect 201 189 232 622
Other comprehensive income/(loss) (411) (592) (424) (1,427)
Balance at September 26, 2015 (653) 772 (464) (345)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications 67 14 2,445 2,526
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (872) 87 (785)
Tax effect 8 124 (894) (762)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) 75 (734) 1,638 979
Balance at September 24, 2016 $ (578) $ 38 $ 1,174 $ 634
401(k) Plan
The Companys 401(k) Plan is a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the 401(k) Plan, participating U.S.
employees may defer a portion of their pre-tax earnings, up to the IRS annual contribution limit ( $18,000 for calendar year 2016). The Company matches 50%
to 100% of each employees contributions, depending on length of service, up to a maximum 6% of the employees eligible earnings.
The fair value as of the respective vesting dates of RSUs was $5.1 billion , $4.8 billion and $3.4 billion for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The majority of
RSUs that vested in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 were net-share settled such that the Company withheld shares with value equivalent to the employees minimum
statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes, and remitted the cash to the appropriate taxing authorities. The total shares withheld
were approximately 15.9 million , 14.1 million and 15.6 million for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and were based on the value of the RSUs on their
respective vesting dates as determined by the Companys closing stock price. Total payments for the employees tax obligations to taxing authorities were $1.7
billion , $1.6 billion and $1.2 billion in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and are reflected as a financing activity within the Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows. These net-share settlements had the effect of share repurchases by the Company as they reduced the number of shares that would have otherwise been
issued as a result of the vesting and did not represent an expense to the Company.
Share-based Compensation
The following table shows a summary of the share-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2016 , 2015 and
2014 (in millions):
The income tax benefit related to share-based compensation expense was $1.4 billion , $1.2 billion and $1.0 billion for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. As
of September 24, 2016 , the total unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding stock options, RSUs and restricted stock was $7.5 billion , which the
Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years .
The Company generally does not indemnify end-users of its operating system and application software against legal claims that the software infringes third-party
intellectual property rights. Other agreements entered into by the Company sometimes include indemnification provisions under which the Company could be
subject to costs and/or damages in the event of an infringement claim against the Company or an indemnified third-party. In the opinion of management, there
was not at least a reasonable possibility the Company may have incurred a material loss with respect to indemnification of end-users of its operating system or
application software for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights.
The Company offers an iPhone Upgrade Program, which is available to customers who purchase a qualifying iPhone in the U.S., the U.K. and mainland China.
The iPhone Upgrade Program provides customers the right to trade in that iPhone for a specified amount when purchasing a new iPhone, provided certain
conditions are met. The Company accounts for the trade-in right as a guarantee liability and recognizes arrangement revenue net of the fair value of such right
with subsequent changes to the guarantee liability recognized within revenue.
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, the Company has agreed to
indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by law against liabilities that arise by reason of their status as directors or officers and to advance
expenses incurred by such individuals in connection with related legal proceedings. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of payments
the Company could be required to make under these agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and
circumstances involved in each claim. However, the Company maintains directors and officers liability insurance coverage to reduce its exposure to such
obligations.
The Company uses some custom components that are not commonly used by its competitors, and new products introduced by the Company often utilize
custom components available from only one source. When a component or product uses new technologies, initial capacity constraints may exist until the
suppliers yields have matured or manufacturing capacity has increased. If the Companys supply of components for a new or existing product were delayed or
constrained, or if an outsourcing partner delayed shipments of completed products to the Company, the Companys financial condition and operating results
could be materially adversely affected. The Companys business and financial performance could also be materially adversely affected depending on the time
required to obtain sufficient quantities from the original source, or to identify and obtain sufficient quantities from an alternative source. Continued availability of
these components at acceptable prices, or at all, may be affected if those suppliers concentrated on the production of common components instead of
components customized to meet the Companys requirements.
The Company has entered into agreements for the supply of many components; however, there can be no guarantee that the Company will be able to extend or
renew these agreements on similar terms, or at all. Therefore, the Company remains subject to significant risks of supply shortages and price increases that
could materially adversely affect its financial condition and operating results.
Substantially all of the Companys hardware products are manufactured by outsourcing partners that are located primarily in Asia. A significant concentration of
this manufacturing is currently performed by a small number of outsourcing partners, often in single locations. Certain of these outsourcing partners are the sole-
sourced suppliers of components and manufacturers for many of the Companys products. Although the Company works closely with its outsourcing partners on
manufacturing schedules, the Companys operating results could be adversely affected if its outsourcing partners were unable to meet their production
commitments. The Companys manufacturing purchase obligations typically cover its requirements for periods up to 150 days .
Operating
Leases
The Company leases various equipment and facilities, including retail space, under noncancelable operating lease arrangements. The Company does not
currently utilize any other off-balance sheet financing arrangements. As of September 24, 2016 , the Companys total future minimum lease payments under
noncancelable operating leases were $7.6 billion . The Company's retail store and other facility leases are typically for terms not exceeding 10 years and
generally contain multi-year renewal options.
Rent expense under all operating leases, including both cancelable and noncancelable leases, was $939 million , $794 million and $717 million in 2016 , 2015
and 2014 , respectively. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases having remaining terms in excess of one year as of
September 24, 2016 , are as follows (in millions):
2017 $ 929
2018 919
2019 915
2020 889
2021 836
Thereafter 3,139
Total $ 7,627
Contingencies
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and that have not been fully adjudicated, as
further discussed in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K under the heading Risk Factors and in Part I, Item 3 of this Form 10-K under the heading Legal
Proceedings. In the opinion of management, there was not at least a reasonable possibility the Company may have incurred a material loss, or a material loss
in excess of a recorded accrual, with respect to loss contingencies for asserted legal and other claims. However, the outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain.
Therefore, although management considers the likelihood of such an outcome to be remote, if one or more of these legal matters were resolved against the
Company in a reporting period for amounts in excess of managements expectations, the Companys consolidated financial statements for that reporting period
could be materially adversely affected.
Apple
Inc.
v.
Samsung
Electronics
Co.,
Ltd.,
et
al.
On August 24, 2012, a jury returned a verdict awarding the Company $1.05 billion in its lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and affiliated parties in the
United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division. On March 6, 2014, the District Court entered final judgment in favor of the
Company in the amount of approximately $930 million . On May 18, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed in part, and reversed in part,
the decision of the District Court. As a result, the Court of Appeals ordered entry of final judgment on damages in the amount of approximately $548 million , with
the District Court to determine supplemental damages and interest, as well as damages owed for products subject to the reversal in part. Samsung paid $548
million to the Company in December 2015, which was included in net sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Because the case remains
subject to further proceedings, the Company has not recognized any further amounts in its results of operations. On October 11, 2016, the United States
Supreme Court heard arguments in Samsungs request for appeal related to the $548 million in damages.
The Company manages its business primarily on a geographic basis. The Companys reportable operating segments consist of the Americas, Europe, Greater
China, Japan and Rest of Asia Pacific. The Americas segment includes both North and South America. The Europe segment includes European countries, as
well as India, the Middle East and Africa. The Greater China segment includes China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Rest of Asia Pacific segment includes
Australia and those Asian countries not included in the Companys other reportable operating segments. Although the reportable operating segments provide
similar hardware and software products and similar services, each one is managed separately to better align with the location of the Companys customers and
distribution partners and the unique market dynamics of each geographic region. The accounting policies of the various segments are the same as those
described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
The following table shows information by reportable operating segment for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
A reconciliation of the Companys segment operating income to the Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in millions):
2016 2015
Long-lived assets:
U.S. $ 16,364 $ 12,022
China (1) 7,807 8,722
Other countries 2,839 3,040
Total long-lived assets $ 27,010 $ 23,784
(1) China includes Hong Kong. Long-lived assets located in China consist primarily of product tooling and manufacturing process equipment and assets related to retail
stores and related infrastructure.
Net sales by product for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 are as follows (in millions):
(1) Includes deferrals and amortization of related software upgrade rights and non-software services.
(2) Includes revenue from iTunes Store, App Store, Mac App Store, TV App Store, iBooks Store, Apple Music, AppleCare, Apple Pay, licensing and other services.
(3) Includes sales of Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats products, iPod and Apple-branded and third-party accessories.
(1) Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of quarterly basic and diluted per share
information may not equal annual basic and diluted earnings per share.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Apple Inc. as of September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 24, 2016 .
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Apple Inc. at September 24,
2016 and September 26, 2015, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 24,
2016 , in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Apple Inc.s internal control over
financial reporting as of September 24, 2016 , based on criteria established in Internal
Control
Integrated
Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated October 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
We have audited Apple Inc.s internal control over financial reporting as of September 24, 2016 , based on criteria established in Internal
Control
Integrated
Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Apple Inc.s
management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting included in the accompanying Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing
and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect
the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being
made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Apple Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 24, 2016 , based on the COSO
criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 2016 consolidated financial
statements of Apple Inc. and our report dated October 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Management, including the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Companys internal controls will prevent or
detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the
objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of
controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of internal controls can provide
absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Also, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls in future
periods are subject to the risk that those internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Company has a code of ethics, Business Conduct: The way we do business worldwide, that applies to all employees, including the Companys principal
executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, as well as to the members of the Board of Directors of the Company. The code is
available at investor.apple.com/corporate-governance.cfm. The Company intends to disclose any changes in, or waivers from, this code by posting such
information on the same website or by filing a Form 8-K, in each case to the extent such disclosure is required by rules of the SEC or NASDAQ.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item is set forth under the headings Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Equity
Compensation Plan Information in the Companys 2017 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after September 24, 2016 and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item is set forth under the subheadings Board Committees, Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related
Persons and Transactions with Related Persons under the heading Directors, Corporate Governance and Executive Officers in the Companys 2017 Proxy
Statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after September 24, 2016 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Apple Inc.
By: /s/ Luca Maestri
Luca Maestri
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Power of Attorney
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Timothy D. Cook and Luca Maestri,
jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Incorporated by
Reference
Exhibit Filing Date/
Number Exhibit Description Form Exhibit Period End Date
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant effective as of June 6, 2014. 8-K 3.1 6/6/14
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant effective as of December 21, 2015. 8-K 3.2 12/22/15
4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant. 10-Q 4.1 12/30/06
4.2 Indenture, dated as of April 29, 2013, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon S-3 4.1 4/29/13
Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
4.3 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of May 3, 2013, including forms of global notes 8-K 4.1 5/3/13
representing the Floating Rate Notes due 2016, Floating Rate Notes due 2018, 0.45% Notes due
2016, 1.00% Notes due 2018, 2.40% Notes due 2023 and 3.85% Notes due 2043.
4.4 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of May 6, 2014, including forms of global notes 8-K 4.1 5/6/14
representing the Floating Rate Notes due 2017, Floating Rate Notes due 2019, 1.05% Notes due
2017, 2.10% Notes due 2019, 2.85% Notes due 2021, 3.45% Notes due 2024 and 4.45% Notes
due 2044.
4.5 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of November 10, 2014, including forms of global 8-K 4.1 11/10/14
notes representing the 1.000% Notes due 2022 and 1.625% Notes due 2026.
4.6 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of February 9, 2015, including forms of global notes 8-K 4.1 2/9/15
representing the Floating Rate Notes due 2020, 1.55% Notes due 2020, 2.15% Notes due 2022,
2.50% Notes due 2025 and 3.45% Notes due 2045.
4.7 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of May 13, 2015, including forms of global notes 8-K 4.1 5/13/15
representing the Floating Rate Notes due 2017, Floating Rate Notes due 2020, 0.900% Notes due
2017, 2.000% Notes due 2020, 2.700% Notes due 2022, 3.200% Notes due 2025, and 4.375%
Notes due 2045.
4.8 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of June 10, 2015, including forms of global notes 8-K 4.1 6/10/15
representing the 0.35% Notes due 2020.
4.9 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of July 31, 2015, including forms of global notes 8-K 4.1 7/31/15
representing the 3.05% Notes due 2029 and 3.60% Notes due 2042.
4.10 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of September 17, 2015, including forms of global 8-K 4.1 9/17/15
notes representing the 1.375% Notes due 2024 and 2.000% Notes due 2027.
4.11 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of February 23, 2016, including forms of global notes 8-K 4.1 2/23/16
representing the Floating Rate Notes due 2019, Floating Rate Notes due 2021, 1.300% Notes due
2018, 1.700% Notes due 2019, 2.250% Notes due 2021, 2.850% Notes due 2023, 3.250% Notes
due 2026, 4.500% Notes due 2036 and 4.650% Notes due 2046.
4.12 Supplement No. 1 to the Officer's Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of March 24, 2016. 8-K 4.1 3/24/16
4.13 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of June 22, 2016, including form of global note 10-Q 4.1 6/22/16
representing 4.150% Notes due 2046.
4.14 Officers Certificate of the Registrant, dated as of August 4, 2016, including forms of global notes 8-K 4.1 8/4/16
representing the Floating Rate Notes due 2019, 1.100% Notes due 2019, 1.550% Notes due
2021, 2.450% Notes due 2026 and 3.850% Notes due 2046.
10.1* Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated as of March 10, 2015. 8-K 10.1 3/13/15
10.2* Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each director and executive officer 10-Q 10.2 6/27/09
of the Registrant.
10.3* 1997 Director Stock Plan, as amended through August 23, 2012. 10-Q 10.3 12/28/13
10.4* 2003 Employee Stock Plan, as amended through February 25, 2010. 8-K 10.1 3/1/10
10.5* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2003 Employee Stock Plan effective as of 10-Q 10.10 12/25/10
November 16, 2010.
10.6* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2003 Employee Stock Plan effective as of 10-Q 10.8 3/31/12
April 6, 2012.
APPLE INC.
2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF GRANT
Employee ID:
Grant Number:
Vesting Schedule:
This restricted stock unit award (the Award) is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Apple Inc. 2014 Employee
Stock Plan and the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award, which are incorporated herein by reference.
You do not have to accept the Award. If you wish to decline your Award, you should promptly notify Apple Inc.s Stock Plan Group of your
decision at [email protected] . If you do not provide such notification within thirty (30) days after the Award Date, you will be deemed to have
accepted your Award on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
APPLE INC.
2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
1. General . These Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award (these Terms ) apply to a particular restricted stock unit
award (the Award ) granted by Apple Inc., a California corporation (the Company ), and are incorporated by reference in the Notice of Grant
(the Grant Notice ) corresponding to that particular grant. The recipient of the Award identified in the Grant Notice is referred to as the
Participant . The effective date of grant of the Award as set forth in the Grant Notice is referred to as the Award Date . The Award was granted
under and is subject to the provisions of the Apple Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan ). Capitalized terms are defined in the Plan if not
defined herein. The Award has been granted to the Participant in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other form of compensation otherwise payable or
to be paid to the Participant. The Grant Notice and these Terms are collectively referred to as the Award Agreement applicable to the Award.
2. Stock Units . As used herein, the term Stock Unit shall mean a non-voting unit of measurement which is deemed for bookkeeping
purposes to be equivalent to one outstanding share of the Companys Common Stock ( Share ) solely for purposes of the Plan and this Award
Agreement. The Stock Units shall be used solely as a device for the determination of the payment to eventually be made to the Participant if such
Stock Units vest pursuant to this Award Agreement. The Stock Units shall not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind.
3. Vesting . Subject to Section 8 below, the Award shall vest and become nonforfeitable as set forth in the Grant Notice. (Each vesting
date set forth in the Grant Notice is referred to herein as a Vesting Date ).
4. Continuance of Employment . The vesting schedule requires continued employment or service through each applicable Vesting
Date as a condition to the vesting of the applicable installment of the Award and the rights and benefits under this Award Agreement. Employment or
service for only a portion of the vesting period, even if a substantial portion, will not entitle the Participant to any proportionate vesting or avoid or
mitigate a termination of rights and benefits upon or following a Termination of Service as provided in Section 8 below and in the Plan.
Nothing contained in this Award Agreement or the Plan constitutes an employment or service commitment by the Company, affects the
Participants status as an employee at will who is subject to termination with or without cause, confers upon the Participant any right to remain
employed by or in service to the Company or any Subsidiary, interferes in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary at any time to
terminate such employment or services, or affects the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to increase or decrease the Participants other
compensation or benefits. Nothing in this paragraph, however, is intended to adversely affect any independent contractual right of the Participant
without his or her consent thereto.
(a) Limitations on Rights Associated with Stock Units . The Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder of the
Company, no dividend rights (except as expressly provided in Section 5(b) with respect to Dividend Equivalent Rights) and no voting rights, with
respect to the Stock Units or any Shares underlying or issuable in respect of such Stock Units until such Shares are actually issued to and held of
record by the Participant. No adjustments will be made for dividends or other rights of a holder for which the record date is prior to the date of
issuance of the stock certificate or book entry evidencing such Shares.
1
(b) Dividend Equivalent Rights Distributions . As of any date that the Company pays an ordinary cash dividend on its
Common Stock, the Company shall credit the Participant with a dollar amount equal to (i) the per share cash dividend paid by the Company on its
Common Stock on such date, multiplied by (ii) the total number of Stock Units (with such total number adjusted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan)
subject to the Award that are outstanding immediately prior to the record date for that dividend (a Dividend Equivalent Right ). Any Dividend
Equivalent Rights credited pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(b) shall be subject to the same vesting, payment and other terms,
conditions and restrictions as the original Stock Units to which they relate; provided, however, that the amount of any vested Dividend Equivalent
Rights shall be paid in cash. No crediting of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be made pursuant to this Section 5(b) with respect to any Stock Units
which, immediately prior to the record date for that dividend, have either been paid pursuant to Section 7 or terminated pursuant to Section 8.
6. Restrictions on Transfer . Except as provided in Section 4(c) of the Plan, neither the Award, nor any interest therein or amount or
Shares payable in respect thereof may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of, alienated or encumbered, either voluntarily
or involuntarily.
7. Timing and Manner of Payment of Stock Units . On or as soon as administratively practical following each vesting of the applicable
portion of the total Award pursuant to Section 3 or Section 8 (and in all events not later than two and one-half (2 ) months after such vesting
event), the Company shall deliver to the Participant a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Shares or by entering
such Shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its discretion) equal to the number of Stock Units subject to the Award that vest
on the applicable Vesting Date, less Tax-Related Items (as defined in Section 11 below), unless such Stock Units terminate prior to the given
Vesting Date pursuant to Section 8. The Companys obligation to deliver Shares or otherwise make payment with respect to vested Stock Units is
subject to the condition precedent that the Participant or other person entitled under the Plan to receive any Shares with respect to the vested Stock
Units deliver to the Company any representations or other documents or assurances required pursuant to Section 13(c) of the Plan. The Participant
shall have no further rights with respect to any Stock Units that are paid or that terminate pursuant to Section 8.
8. Effect of Termination of Service . Except as expressly provided below in this Section 8, the Participants Stock Units (as well as the
related Dividend Equivalent Rights) shall terminate to the extent such Stock Units have not become vested prior to the Participants Termination of
Service, meaning the first date the Participant is no longer employed by or providing services to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (the
Severance Date ), regardless of the reason for the Participants Termination of Service, whether with or without cause, voluntarily or involuntarily.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Participants Termination of Service is due to the Participants Disability at a time when Stock Units
remain outstanding and unvested under the Award, (a) the Award shall vest with respect to the number of Stock Units determined by multiplying (i)
the number of then-outstanding and unvested Stock Units subject to the Award that would have otherwise vested pursuant to Section 3 on the next
Vesting Date following the Severance Date but for such Termination of Service, by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of days
that have elapsed between the Vesting Date that immediately preceded the Severance Date (or, in the case of a Termination of Service prior to the
initial Vesting Date, the Vesting Commencement Date) and the Severance Date, and the denominator of which shall be the number of days
between the Vesting Date that immediately preceded the Severance Date (or, in the case of a Termination of Service prior to the initial Vesting Date,
the Vesting Commencement Date) and the next Vesting Date following the Severance Date that would have occurred but for such Termination of
Service; and (b) any Stock Units (as well as the related Dividend Equivalent Rights) that are not vested after giving effect to the foregoing clause (a)
shall terminate on the Severance Date. Further, in the event the Participants Termination of Service is due to the Participants death, any then-
outstanding and unvested Stock Units subject to the Award shall be fully vested as of the Severance Date, and any Dividend Equivalent Rights
credited to the Participant shall be paid. If any unvested Stock Units are terminated hereunder, such Stock Units (as well as the related Dividend
Equivalent Rights) shall automatically terminate and be cancelled as of the applicable Severance Date without payment of any consideration by the
Company and without any other action by the Participant or the Participants personal representative, as the case may be.
2
9. Recoupment . Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Award and any Shares or other amount or property that may be
issued, delivered or paid in respect of the Award, as well as any consideration that may be received in respect of a sale or other disposition of any
such Shares or property, shall be subject to any recoupment, clawback or similar provisions of applicable law, as well as any recoupment or
clawback policies of the Company that may be in effect from time to time. In addition, the Company may require the Participant to deliver or
otherwise repay to the Company the Award and any Shares or other amount or property that may be issued, delivered or paid in respect of the
Award, as well as any consideration that may be received in respect of a sale or other disposition of any such Shares or property, if the Company
reasonably determines that one or more of the following has occurred:
(a) during the period of the Participants employment or service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the Employment Period
), the Participant has committed a felony (under the laws of the United States or any relevant state, or a similar crime or offense
under the applicable laws of any relevant foreign jurisdiction);
(b) during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, the Participant has committed or engaged in a breach of confidentiality, or
an unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, customer lists, trade secrets or other confidential information of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(c) during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, the Participant has committed or engaged in an act of theft, embezzlement
or fraud, or materially breached any agreement to which the Participant is a party with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
10. Adjustments Upon Specified Events . Upon the occurrence of certain events relating to the Companys stock contemplated by
Section 11 of the Plan (including, without limitation, an extraordinary cash dividend on such stock), the Committee shall make adjustments in
accordance with such section in the number of Stock Units then outstanding and the number and kind of securities that may be issued in respect of
the Award. No such adjustment shall be made with respect to any ordinary cash dividend for which Dividend Equivalent Rights are credited pursuant
to Section 5(b).
11. Responsibility for Taxes . The Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action the Company and/or the Participants
employer (the Employer ) take with respect to any or all income tax (including U.S. federal, state and local tax and/or non-U.S. tax), social
insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the Participants participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the
Participant or deemed by the Company or the Employer to be an appropriate charge to the Participant even if technically due by the Company or the
Employer ( Tax-Related Items ), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participants responsibility and may exceed the
amount actually withheld by the Company or the Employer. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (i) make
no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Award, including the grant
of the Stock Units, the vesting of the Stock Units, the delivery of Shares, the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired at vesting and the receipt of
any dividends and/or Dividend Equivalent Rights; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any
aspect of the Award to reduce or eliminate the Participants liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the
Participant is or becomes subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (or
former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
Prior to the relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, the Participant shall pay or make arrangements satisfactory to
the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Employer, or
their respective agents, at their discretion and pursuant to such procedures as they may specify from time to time, to satisfy any applicable
withholding obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following:
3
(a) withholding from any wages or other cash compensation payable to the Participant by the Company and/or the Employer;
(b) withholding otherwise deliverable Shares and/or from otherwise payable Dividend Equivalent Rights to be issued or paid upon
vesting/settlement of the Award;
(c) arranging for the sale of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant (on the Participants behalf and at the Participants
direction pursuant to this authorization), including selling Shares as part of a block trade with other Participants in the Plan; or
(d) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of Shares acquired upon vesting/settlement of the Award.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is an officer of the Company who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then
the Company must satisfy any withholding obligations arising upon the occurrence of a taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable,
by withholding Shares otherwise deliverable or an amount otherwise payable upon settlement of Dividend Equivalent Rights pursuant to
method (b), unless the Board or the Committee determines in its discretion to satisfy the obligation for Tax-Related Items by one or a
combination of methods (a), (b), (c), and (d) above.
Depending on the withholding method, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum
statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates. If the maximum rate is used, any over-
withheld amount will be refunded to the Participant in cash by the Company or Employer (with no entitlement to the Common Stock equivalent) or if
not refunded, the Participant may seek a refund from the local tax authorities. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding a
number of Shares as described herein, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the
vested Stock Units, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items. The
Participant shall pay to the Company and/or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company and/or the Employer may be required
to withhold or account for as a result of the Participants participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The
Company may refuse to issue or deliver to the Participant any Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares if the Participant fails to comply with the
Participants obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.
12. Electronic Delivery and Acceptance . The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the Award by
electronic means or request the Participants consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive all
applicable documentation by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line (and/or voice activated) system established and
maintained by the Company or a third party vendor designated by the Company.
13. Data Privacy . The Participant acknowledges and consents to the collection, use, processing and transfer of personal data as
described in this Section 13. The Company, its related entities, and the Employer hold certain personal information about the Participant, including
the Participants name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number or other employee identification number, salary,
nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled,
purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participants favor, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan ( Data ). The
Company and its related entities may transfer Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and
management of the Participants participation in the Plan, and the Company and its related entities may each further transfer Data to any third
parties assisting the Company or any such related entity in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The Participant
acknowledges that the transferors and transferees of such Data may be located anywhere in the world and hereby authorizes each of them to
receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the
Participants participation in the Plan, including any transfer
4
of such Data as may be required for the administration of the Plan and/or the subsequent holding of Shares on the Participants behalf to a broker or
to other third party with whom the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares acquired under the Plan (whether pursuant to the Award or
otherwise).
14. Notices . Any notice to be given under the terms of this Award Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Company at its
principal office to the attention of the Secretary, and to the Participant at the Participants last address reflected on the Companys records, or at
such other address as either party may hereafter designate in writing to the other. Any such notice shall be given only when received, but if the
Participant is no longer an employee of the Company, shall be deemed to have been duly given by the Company when enclosed in a properly
sealed envelope addressed as aforesaid, registered or certified, and deposited (postage and registry or certification fee prepaid) in a post office or
branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Government.
15. Plan . The Award and all rights of the Participant under this Award Agreement are subject to the terms and conditions of the
provisions of the Plan, incorporated herein by reference. The Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement.
The Participant acknowledges having read and understood the Plan, the Prospectus for the Plan, and this Award Agreement. Unless otherwise
expressly provided in other sections of this Award Agreement, provisions of the Plan that confer discretionary authority on the Board or the
Committee do not (and shall not be deemed to) create any rights in the Participant unless such rights are expressly set forth herein or are otherwise
in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee so conferred by appropriate action of the Board or the Committee under the Plan after the date
hereof.
16. Entire Agreement . This Award Agreement and the Plan together constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior
understandings and agreements, written or oral, of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Plan and this Award Agreement
may be amended pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan. Such amendment must be in writing and signed by the Company. The Company may,
however, unilaterally waive any provision hereof in writing to the extent such waiver does not adversely affect the interests of the Participant
hereunder, but no such waiver shall operate as or be construed to be a subsequent waiver of the same provision or a waiver of any other provision
hereof.
17. Limitation on the Participants Rights . Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This
Award Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a
trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured
creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Stock Units, and rights no greater than the
right to receive the Common Stock as a general unsecured creditor with respect to Stock Units, as and when payable hereunder.
18. Counterparts . This Award Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
19. Section Headings . The section headings of this Award Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed
to alter or affect any provision hereof.
20. Governing Law . This Award Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State
of California without regard to conflict of law principles thereunder.
21. Choice of Venue . For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties
evidenced by this grant or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that
such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Santa Clara County, California, or the federal courts for the Northern District of California, and
no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.
5
22. Construction . It is intended that the terms of the Award will not result in the imposition of any tax liability pursuant to Section 409A
of the Code. This Award Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent.
23. Severability . The provisions of this Award Agreement are severable and if any one of more provisions are determined to be illegal
or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
24. Imposition of Other Requirements . The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Participants
participation in the Plan, on the Stock Units and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or
advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require the Participant to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be
necessary to accomplish the foregoing.
6
Exhibit 10.19
APPLE INC.
2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
PERFORMANCE AWARD
NOTICE OF GRANT
Employee ID:
Grant Number:
Vesting Schedule:
Performance Period:
This restricted stock unit award (the Award) is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Apple Inc. 2014 Employee
Stock Plan and the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award - Performance Award (including Exhibit A thereto), which are incorporated
herein by reference.
You do not have to accept the Award. If you wish to decline your Award, you should promptly notify Apple Inc.s Stock Plan Group of your
decision at [email protected] . If you do not provide such notification within thirty (30) days after the Award Date, you will be deemed to have
accepted your Award on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
APPLE INC.
2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
PERFORMANCE AWARD
1. General . These Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award - Performance Award (these Terms ) apply to a particular
restricted stock unit award (the Award ) granted by Apple Inc., a California corporation (the Company ), and are incorporated by reference in
the Notice of Grant (the Grant Notice ) corresponding to that particular grant. The recipient of the Award identified in the Grant Notice is referred
to as the Participant . The effective date of grant of the Award as set forth in the Grant Notice is referred to as the Award Date . The Award
was granted under and is subject to the provisions of the Apple Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan ). Capitalized terms are defined in the
Plan if not defined herein. The Award has been granted to the Participant in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other form of compensation otherwise
payable or to be paid to the Participant. The Grant Notice and these Terms (including Exhibit A hereto, incorporated herein by this reference) are
collectively referred to as the Award Agreement applicable to the Award.
2. Stock Units . As used herein, the term Stock Unit shall mean a non-voting unit of measurement which is deemed for bookkeeping
purposes to be equivalent to one outstanding share of the Companys Common Stock ( Share ) solely for purposes of the Plan and this Award
Agreement. The Stock Units shall be used solely as a device for the determination of the payment to eventually be made to the Participant if such
Stock Units vest pursuant to this Award Agreement. The Stock Units shall not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind.
3. Vesting . Subject to Section 8 below, the Award shall vest and become nonforfeitable as set forth in the Grant Notice and Exhibit A
hereto. (The vesting date set forth in the Grant Notice is referred to herein as a Vesting Date ).
4. Continuance of Employment . The vesting schedule requires continued employment or service through the Vesting Date as a
condition to the vesting of the Award and the rights and benefits under this Award Agreement. Employment or service for only a portion of the
vesting period, even if a substantial portion, will not entitle the Participant to any proportionate vesting or avoid or mitigate a termination of rights and
benefits upon or following a Termination of Service as provided in Section 8 below and in the Plan.
Nothing contained in this Award Agreement or the Plan constitutes an employment or service commitment by the Company, affects the
Participants status as an employee at will who is subject to termination with or without cause, confers upon the Participant any right to remain
employed by or in service to the Company or any Subsidiary, interferes in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary at any time to
terminate such employment or services, or affects the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to increase or decrease the Participants other
compensation or benefits. Nothing in this paragraph, however, is intended to adversely affect any independent contractual right of the Participant
without his or her consent thereto.
(a) Limitations on Rights Associated with Stock Units . The Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder of the
Company, no dividend rights (except as expressly provided in Section 5(b) with respect to Dividend Equivalent Rights) and no voting rights, with
respect to the Stock Units or any Shares underlying or issuable in respect of such Stock Units until such Shares are actually issued to and held of
1
record by the Participant. No adjustments will be made for dividends or other rights of a holder for which the record date is prior to the date of
issuance of the stock certificate or book entry evidencing such Shares.
(b) Dividend Equivalent Rights Distributions . As of any date that the Company pays an ordinary cash dividend on its
Common Stock, the Company shall credit the Participant with a dollar amount equal to (i) the per share cash dividend paid by the Company on its
Common Stock on such date, multiplied by (ii) the total target number of Stock Units (with such total number adjusted pursuant to Section 11 of the
Plan) subject to the Award that are outstanding immediately prior to the record date for that dividend (a Dividend Equivalent Right ). Any
Dividend Equivalent Rights credited pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(b) shall be subject to the same vesting, payment and other
terms, conditions and restrictions as the original Stock Units to which they relate; provided, however, that the amount of any vested Dividend
Equivalent Rights shall be paid in cash. For purposes of clarity, the percentage of the Dividend Equivalent Rights that are paid will correspond to the
percentage of the total target number of Stock Units that vest on the Vesting Date, after giving effect to Exhibit A . No crediting of Dividend
Equivalent Rights shall be made pursuant to this Section 5(b) with respect to any Stock Units which, immediately prior to the record date for that
dividend, have either been paid pursuant to Section 7 or terminated pursuant to Section 8 or Exhibit A .
6. Restrictions on Transfer . Except as provided in Section 4(c) of the Plan, neither the Award, nor any interest therein or amount or
Shares payable in respect thereof may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of, alienated or encumbered, either voluntarily
or involuntarily.
7. Timing and Manner of Payment of Stock Units . On or as soon as administratively practical following the vesting of the Award
pursuant to Section 3 or Section 8 (and in all events not later than two and one-half (2 ) months after such vesting event), the Company shall
deliver to the Participant a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Shares or by entering such Shares in book entry
form, as determined by the Company in its discretion) equal to the number of Stock Units subject to the Award that vest on the Vesting Date, less
Tax-Related Items (as defined in Section 11 below), unless such Stock Units terminate prior to the Vesting Date pursuant to Section 8. The
Companys obligation to deliver Shares or otherwise make payment with respect to vested Stock Units is subject to the condition precedent that the
Participant or other person entitled under the Plan to receive any Shares with respect to the vested Stock Units deliver to the Company any
representations or other documents or assurances required pursuant to Section 13(c) of the Plan. The Participant shall have no further rights with
respect to any Stock Units that are paid or that terminate pursuant to Section 8.
8. Effect of Termination of Service . Except as provided in the next sentence, the Participants Stock Units (as well as the related
Dividend Equivalent Rights) shall terminate to the extent such Stock Units have not become vested prior to the Participants Termination of Service,
meaning the first date the Participant is no longer employed by or providing services to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (the Severance
Date ), regardless of the reason for the Participants Termination of Service, whether with or without cause, voluntarily or involuntarily. In the event
the Participants Severance Date is the result of the Participants Termination of Service due to the Participants death or Disability, and the
Severance Date occurs prior to the Vesting Date, on the Vesting Date the Award shall vest with respect to a number of Stock Units determined by
multiplying (i) the Stock Units subject to the Award that would have otherwise vested pursuant to the Award on such Vesting Date but for the
Termination of Service and to the extent the applicable performance-based vesting requirement is satisfied, by (ii) the Severance Fraction
(determined as set forth below). Any Stock Units that are unvested on the Severance Date and that are not eligible to vest on the Vesting Date
following the Severance Date pursuant to the preceding sentence shall terminate as of the Severance Date, and any Stock Units that remain
outstanding and unvested after giving effect to the preceding sentence shall terminate as of the Vesting Date. The Severance Fraction means a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be determined by subtracting the number of days remaining in the Performance Period on the Severance Date
from the total number of days in the Performance Period, and the denominator of which shall be the total number of days in the Performance Period.
If any unvested Stock Units are terminated pursuant to this Award Agreement, such Stock Units (as well as the related Dividend Equivalent Rights)
shall automatically terminate and be cancelled as of the applicable Severance Date (or, to the extent the applicable performance-based
2
vesting conditions are not satisfied, the Vesting Date, as provided in Exhibit A ) without payment of any consideration by the Company and without
any other action by the Participant, or the Participants beneficiary or personal representative, as the case may be.
9. Recoupment . Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Award and any Shares or other amount or property that may be
issued, delivered or paid in respect of the Award, as well as any consideration that may be received in respect of a sale or other disposition of any
such Shares or property, shall be subject to any recoupment, clawback or similar provisions of applicable law, as well as any recoupment or
clawback policies of the Company that may be in effect from time to time. In addition, the Company may require the Participant to deliver or
otherwise repay to the Company the Award and any Shares or other amount or property that may be issued, delivered or paid in respect of the
Award, as well as any consideration that may be received in respect of a sale or other disposition of any such Shares or property, if the Company
reasonably determines that one or more of the following has occurred:
(a) during the period of the Participants employment or service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the Employment Period
), the Participant has committed a felony (under the laws of the United States or any relevant state, or a similar crime or offense
under the applicable laws of any relevant foreign jurisdiction);
(b) during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, the Participant has committed or engaged in a breach of confidentiality, or
an unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, customer lists, trade secrets or other confidential information of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(c) during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter, the Participant has committed or engaged in an act of theft, embezzlement
or fraud, or materially breached any agreement to which the Participant is a party with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
10. Adjustments Upon Specified Events . Upon the occurrence of certain events relating to the Companys stock contemplated by
Section 11 of the Plan (including, without limitation, an extraordinary cash dividend on such stock), the Committee shall make adjustments in
accordance with such section in the number of Stock Units then outstanding and the number and kind of securities that may be issued in respect of
the Award. No such adjustment shall be made with respect to any ordinary cash dividend for which Dividend Equivalent Rights are credited pursuant
to Section 5(b).
11. Responsibility for Taxes . The Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action the Company and/or the Participants
employer (the Employer ) take with respect to any or all income tax (including U.S. federal, state and local tax and/or non-U.S. tax), social
insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the Participants participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the
Participant or deemed by the Company or the Employer to be an appropriate charge to the Participant even if technically due by the Company or the
Employer ( Tax-Related Items ), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participants responsibility and may exceed the
amount actually withheld by the Company or the Employer. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (i) make
no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Award, including the grant
of the Stock Units, the vesting of the Stock Units, the delivery of Shares, the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired at vesting and the receipt of
any dividends and/or Dividend Equivalent Rights; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any
aspect of the Award to reduce or eliminate the Participants liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the
Participant is or becomes subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (or
former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
3
Prior to the relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, the Participant shall pay or make arrangements satisfactory to
the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Employer, or
their respective agents, at their discretion and pursuant to such procedures as they may specify from time to time, to satisfy any applicable
withholding obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following:
(a) withholding from any wages or other cash compensation payable to the Participant by the Company and/or the Employer;
(b) withholding otherwise deliverable Shares and/or from otherwise payable Dividend Equivalent Rights to be issued or paid upon
vesting/settlement of the Award;
(c) arranging for the sale of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant (on the Participants behalf and at the Participants
direction pursuant to this authorization), including selling Shares as part of a block trade with other Participants in the Plan; or
(d) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of Shares acquired upon vesting/settlement of the Award.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is an officer of the Company who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then
the Company must satisfy any withholding obligations arising upon the occurrence of a taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable,
by withholding Shares otherwise deliverable or an amount otherwise payable upon settlement of Dividend Equivalent Rights pursuant to
method (b), unless the Board or the Committee determines in its discretion to satisfy the obligation for Tax-Related Items by one or a
combination of methods (a), (b), (c), and (d) above.
Depending on the withholding method, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum
statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates. If the maximum rate is used, any over-
withheld amount will be refunded to the Participant in cash by the Company or Employer (with no entitlement to the Common Stock equivalent) or if
not refunded, the Participant may seek a refund from the local tax authorities. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding a
number of Shares as described herein, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the
vested Stock Units, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items. The
Participant shall pay to the Company and/or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company and/or the Employer may be required
to withhold or account for as a result of the Participants participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The
Company may refuse to issue or deliver to the Participant any Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares if the Participant fails to comply with the
Participants obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.
12. Electronic Delivery and Acceptance . The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the Award by
electronic means or request the Participants consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive all
applicable documentation by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line (and/or voice activated) system established and
maintained by the Company or a third party vendor designated by the Company.
13. Data Privacy . The Participant acknowledges and consents to the collection, use, processing and transfer of personal data as
described in this Section 13. The Company, its related entities, and the Employer hold certain personal information about the Participant, including
the Participants name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number or other employee identification number, salary,
nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled,
purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participants favor, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan ( Data ). The
Company and its related entities may transfer Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation,
4
administration and management of the Participants participation in the Plan, and the Company and its related entities may each further transfer
Data to any third parties assisting the Company or any such related entity in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The
Participant acknowledges that the transferors and transferees of such Data may be located anywhere in the world and hereby authorizes each of
them to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and
managing the Participants participation in the Plan, including any transfer of such Data as may be required for the administration of the Plan and/or
the subsequent holding of Shares on the Participants behalf to a broker or to other third party with whom the Participant may elect to deposit any
Shares acquired under the Plan (whether pursuant to the Award or otherwise).
14. Notices . Any notice to be given under the terms of this Award Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Company at its
principal office to the attention of the Secretary, and to the Participant at the Participants last address reflected on the Companys records, or at
such other address as either party may hereafter designate in writing to the other. Any such notice shall be given only when received, but if the
Participant is no longer an employee of the Company, shall be deemed to have been duly given by the Company when enclosed in a properly
sealed envelope addressed as aforesaid, registered or certified, and deposited (postage and registry or certification fee prepaid) in a post office or
branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Government.
15. Plan . The Award and all rights of the Participant under this Award Agreement are subject to the terms and conditions of the
provisions of the Plan, incorporated herein by reference. The Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement.
The Participant acknowledges having read and understood the Plan, the Prospectus for the Plan, and this Award Agreement. Unless otherwise
expressly provided in other sections of this Award Agreement, provisions of the Plan that confer discretionary authority on the Board or the
Committee do not (and shall not be deemed to) create any rights in the Participant unless such rights are expressly set forth herein or are otherwise
in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee so conferred by appropriate action of the Board or the Committee under the Plan after the date
hereof.
16. Entire Agreement . This Award Agreement and the Plan together constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior
understandings and agreements, written or oral, of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Plan and this Award Agreement
may be amended pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan. Such amendment must be in writing and signed by the Company. The Company may,
however, unilaterally waive any provision hereof in writing to the extent such waiver does not adversely affect the interests of the Participant
hereunder, but no such waiver shall operate as or be construed to be a subsequent waiver of the same provision or a waiver of any other provision
hereof.
17. Limitation on the Participants Rights . Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This
Award Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a
trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured
creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Stock Units, and rights no greater than the
right to receive the Common Stock as a general unsecured creditor with respect to Stock Units, as and when payable hereunder.
18. Counterparts . This Award Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
19. Section Headings . The section headings of this Award Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed
to alter or affect any provision hereof.
20. Governing Law . This Award Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State
of California without regard to conflict of law principles thereunder.
5
21. Choice of Venue . For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties
evidenced by this grant or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that
such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Santa Clara County, California, or the federal courts for the Northern District of California, and
no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.
22. Construction . It is intended that the terms of the Award will not result in the imposition of any tax liability pursuant to Section 409A
of the Code. This Award Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent.
23. Severability . The provisions of this Award Agreement are severable and if any one of more provisions are determined to be illegal
or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
24. Imposition of Other Requirements . The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Participants
participation in the Plan, on the Stock Units and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or
advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require the Participant to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be
necessary to accomplish the foregoing.
*****
6
PERFORMANCE AWARD
EXHIBIT A
The Stock Units (and related Dividend Equivalent Rights) subject to the Award that will vest on the Vesting Date will be determined based
on the Companys relative total shareholder return ( TSR ) Percentile for the Performance Period.
The percentage of the Stock Units (and related Dividend Equivalent Rights) that vest on the Vesting Date will be determined as follows:
If the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period is at the [ ] ([ ]) percentile or greater, [ ] ([ ]%) of the target Stock Units
will vest on the Vesting Date.
If the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period is at the [ ] ([ ]) percentile, [ ] ([ ]%) of the target Stock Units will vest
on the Vesting Date.
If the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period is at the [ ] ([ ]) percentile, [ ] ([ ]%) of the target Stock Units will vest
on the Vesting Date.
If the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period is below the [ ] ([ ]) percentile, [ ] ([ ]%) of the Stock Units will vest on
the Vesting Date.
For TSR Percentile performance for the Performance Period between the levels indicated above, the portion of the Stock Units that will vest
on the Vesting Date will be determined on a straight-line basis ( i.e.
, linearly interpolated) between the two nearest vesting percentages indicated
above.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Companys TSR for the Performance Period is negative, in no event shall more than one hundred
percent (100%) of the target Stock Units vest.
The number of Stock Units that vest on the Vesting Date will be rounded to the nearest whole unit, and the balance of the Stock Units will
not vest and will terminate on that Vesting Date.
TSR Percentile means the percentile ranking of the Companys TSR among the TSRs for the Comparison Group members for
the Performance Period. In determining the Companys TSR Percentile for the Performance Period, in the event that the
Companys TSR for the Performance Period is equal to the TSR(s) of one or more other Comparison Group members for that same
period, the Companys TSR Percentile ranking will be determined by ranking the Companys TSR for that period as being greater
than such other Comparison Group members.
Comparison Group means the Company and each other company included in the Standard & Poors 500 index on the first day
of the Performance Period and, except as provided below, the common stock (or similar equity security) of which continues to be
listed or traded on a national securities exchange through the last trading day of the Performance Period. In the event a member of
the Comparison Group files for bankruptcy or liquidates due to an insolvency, such company shall continue to be treated as a
Comparison Group member, and such companys Ending Price will be treated as $0 if the common stock (or similar equity security)
of such company is no longer listed or traded on a national securities
A-1
exchange on the last trading day of the Performance Period. In the event of a formation of a new parent company by a Comparison
Group member, substantially all of the assets and liabilities of which consist immediately after the transaction of the equity interests
in the original Comparison Group member or the assets and liabilities of such Comparison Group member immediately prior to the
transaction, such new parent company shall be substituted for the Comparison Group member to the extent (and for such period of
time) as its common stock (or similar equity securities) are listed or traded on a national securities exchange but the common stock
(or similar equity securities) of the original Comparison Group member are not. In the event of a merger or other business
combination of two Comparison Group members (including, without limitation, the acquisition of one Comparison Group member, or
all or substantially all of its assets, by another Comparison Group member), the surviving, resulting or successor entity, as the case
may be, shall continue to be treated as a member of the Comparison Group, provided that the common stock (or similar equity
security) of such entity is listed or traded on a national securities exchange through the last trading day of the Performance Period.
With respect to the preceding two sentences, the applicable stock prices shall be equitably and proportionately adjusted to the
extent (if any) necessary to preserve the intended incentives of the awards and mitigate the impact of the transaction.
TSR shall be determined with respect to the Company and any other Comparison Group member by dividing: (a) the sum of (i)
the difference obtained by subtracting the applicable Beginning Price from the applicable Ending Price plus (ii) all dividends and
other distributions during the Performance Period by (b) the applicable Beginning Price. Any non-cash distributions shall be valued
at fair market value. For the purpose of determining TSR, the value of dividends and other distributions shall be determined by
treating them as reinvested in additional shares of stock at the closing market price on the date of distribution.
Beginning Price means, with respect to the Company and any other Comparison Group member, the average of the closing
market prices of such companys common stock on the principal exchange on which such stock is traded for the twenty (20)
consecutive trading days ending with the last trading day before the beginning of the Performance Period. For the purpose of
determining Beginning Price, the value of dividends and other distributions shall be determined by treating them as reinvested in
additional shares of stock at the closing market price on the date of distribution.
Ending Price means, with respect to the Company and any other Comparison Group member, the average of the closing
market prices of such companys common stock on the principal exchange on which such stock is traded for the twenty (20)
consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the Performance Period. For the purpose of determining Ending Price,
the value of dividends and other distributions shall be determined by treating them as reinvested in additional shares of stock at the
closing market price on the date of distribution.
With respect to the computation of TSR, Beginning Price, and Ending Price, there shall also be an equitable and proportionate adjustment
to the extent (if any) necessary to preserve the intended incentives of the awards and mitigate the impact of any stock split, stock dividend or
reverse stock split occurring during the Performance Period (or during the applicable 20-day period in determining Beginning Price or Ending Price,
as the case may be).
A-2
In the event of any ambiguity or discrepancy, the determination of the Committee shall be final and binding.
*****
A-3
Exhibit 12.1
Apple Inc.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(In millions, except ratios)
Years ended
September 24, September 26, September 27, September 28, September 29,
2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Earnings:
Earnings before provision for
income taxes $ 61,372 $ 72,515 $ 53,483 $ 50,155 $ 55,763
Add: Fixed Charges 1,644 892 527 265 98
Total Earnings $ 63,016 $ 73,407 $ 54,010 $ 50,420 $ 55,861
Fixed Charges (1) :
Interest Expense $ 1,456 $ 733 $ 384 $ 136 $
Interest component of rental
expense 188 159 143 129 98
Total Fixed Charges $ 1,644 $ 892 $ 527 $ 265 $ 98
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(2) 38 82 102 190 570
(1) Fixed charges include the portion of rental expense that management believes is representative of the interest component.
(2) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing Total Earnings by Total Fixed Charges.
Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of
Apple Inc.*
Jurisdiction
of Incorporation
Apple Sales International Ireland
Apple Operations International Ireland
Apple Operations Europe Ireland
Braeburn Capital, Inc. Nevada, U.S.
* Pursuant to Item 601(b)(21)(ii) of Regulation S-K, the names of other subsidiaries of Apple Inc. are omitted because, considered in the aggregate, they would not
constitute a significant subsidiary as of the end of the year covered by this report.
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
of our reports dated October 26, 2016 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Apple Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting of Apple Inc., included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 24, 2016 .
CERTIFICATION
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The Registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))
for the Registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrants most recent
fiscal quarter (the Registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the Registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The Registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
Registrants auditors and the audit committee of the Registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the Registrants ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrants internal
control over financial reporting.
By: /s/ Timothy D. Cook
Timothy D. Cook
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The Registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))
for the Registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrants most recent
fiscal quarter (the Registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the Registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The Registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
Registrants auditors and the audit committee of the Registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the Registrants ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrants internal
control over financial reporting.
By: /s/ Luca Maestri
Luca Maestri
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 32.1
I, Timothy D. Cook, certify, as of the date hereof, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
that the Annual Report of Apple Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 24, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results
of operations of Apple Inc. at the dates and for the periods indicated.
By: /s/ Timothy D. Cook
Timothy D. Cook
Chief Executive Officer
I, Luca Maestri, certify, as of the date hereof, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that
the Annual Report of Apple Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 24, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of
operations of Apple Inc. at the dates and for the periods indicated.
By: /s/ Luca Maestri
Luca Maestri
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Apple Inc. and will be retained by Apple Inc. and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.