[maxerickson]

The businesses you mention have much lower margins than premium consumer electronics. Apple branded condos would be a poor use of the brand. They should just give the money to shareholders if that's all they can think of.

[Roritharr]

Thats the point, there are no other industries that provide a ROI as high as Apples while needing that much cash and benefit from Apple Position. Hence the choosing of the best of Bad options. Giving the money to shareholders surely would be an option, but Apple's Board seems to think going toward another big industry is a better Option.

[Zigurd]

Apple appears to be able to defy gravity in smartphone margins. Let's see how they do with cars. Some people think Tesla has a 25%+ gross margin. And Apple has the capital to do something similar at a the scale of auto industry incumbents.

[ams6110]

It's one thing to talk yourself into an iPhone that costs a few hundred dollars more than the competition. It's another thing to talk yourself into an iCar that costs $50,000 more (assuming...)

[Zigurd]

Porsche reputedly makes $23,000 in gross margin contribution per unit. That's probably worth 50 VW Golfs in margin contribution.