[runako]

IIRC the term is typically "cash and equivalents." [1] There is definitely not the expectation that Apple has $200B+ sitting in checking accounts unable to earn any interest.

Treasuries and certain other government securities count as "cash" in most cases.

Edit: Apple reports most of the amount bandied about as their "cash" as being in "long-term marketable securities." [2]. So it's a mix that is definitely not designed to all be instantly convertible to USD with no penalty. I'd guess most other large companies manage their cash similarly.

1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_and_cash_equivalents#Comp...

2 - https://www.apple.com/newsroom/pdfs/Q2FY17ConsolidatedFinanc...