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Apple sells $17 billion in bonds to help fund massive $100 billion return to shareholders

Published Apr 30th, 2013 3:00PM EDT
Apple Bond Sales $17 Billion

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Apple appreciates its shareholders so much that it’s willing to issue $17 billion in debt just so it can return more cash to them. The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple on Tuesday sold $17 billion in bonds, which the publication says is “a record amount for a U.S. investment-grade offering.” The Journal says that Apple is conducting the massive bond sale as part of its plan to return $100 billion to its shareholders by the end of 2015, which will include increasing quarterly dividends and buying back $60 billion worth of shares. Apple has decided to issue debt instead of dipping into its own significant cash reserves because strong demand for high-quality corporate debt has given the company a major opportunity to borrow money at low rates, the Journal reports.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.