[LWJ]

Apple is a BRAND company. Just like Nike. I saw recently that in Portland (where I live) 25% of the population has an Apple product. Bay Area is highest, at 30+%. Agreed, it is a cult.

Apple executes so extremely well on their products that customers simply can't stay away. The fact that pricing is significantly higher than competing products is not a barrier to their growth. What is not to love about this? They have built the proverbial better mousetrap and have done so time and time again.

As such, this is a company that I am so VERY please to have in my portfolio. My only regret is that I initially sold the stock in the early 2000's around $22. Of course, I bought again when it was over $150! My error.

As to innovation, they just keep on moving forward. Case in point, my good friend is a PhD in a certain technical field and did some consulting for Apple recently. Obviously, he can't say anything about what he did. I did ask him when the Ipad came out if this was his product and he said that his product is still in the development cycle. New phone? Rev 2 Ipad? I don't know. I am happy to know that the funnel is filled and cool new stuff is coming our way.

Call me a cheerleader for Apple and I will agree. I think they are one of the best examples of American ingenuity that we have. If we had 100 more companies that were as exceptional as Apple I couldn't be happier.

Have a great day,
Larry