[sgt]

Apple is not a charity. Even though things are going well today in 2012, doesn't mean that things will be going equally well in 2018. In any case, I think there will be issuing of dividends down the line. The shareholders can then themselves decide whether to use the dividends for the purpose of charity or not. I feel this is the most fair way to run a company. (I am not saying that Apple should stay entirely away from charities though.)

[mbreese]

A good to also think about is that not too long ago, Apple was almost bankrupt. A lot of people these days just the of Apple as the iPod/iPhone/iPad titan who makes money hand over fist. But, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a decent amount of institutional memory about their almost fate in the 90s.

If you almost lot it all, only to come back, you might want to kee a large war chest too.