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Topic: Mobility

Apple has more cash than U.S. government

Summary: New reports show that Apple has more cash and marketable securities on hand than the United States government.

Rachel King

By for Between the Lines |

In other Apple news, maybe it's not so difficult to see why Apple is the leading global smartphone vendor. After all, new reports show that Apple has more cash on hand than the United States government.

Based on Apple's last quarterly earnings report on July 19, the Cupertino, Calif.-based enterprise had $76.156 billion in cash and marketable securities as of June 25. The Atlantic poses the idea that said amount could be "enough to buy Goldman Sachs or Facebook."

It could certainly buy up some small countries around the world...but the United States, perhaps?

In contrast to Apple, the United States government reportedly only has a paltry $73.768 billion in cash reserves. The lesson to be learned, according to Fortune?

Since Apple takes in more money than it spends and the U.S. government does the opposite, the company by now has considerably more cash on hand than Uncle Sam.

Nevertheless, The Financial Post points out that the figures aren't "directly comparable."

The government’s number represents how much financial headroom it has before bumping up against an arbitrary debt ceiling, while Apple’s cash reserve represents the pile of money the Cupertino, California-based company has available on its balance sheet.

So should our nation's leaders be turning to Steve Jobs and friends for advice (or some money) right now? It's either that, or we actually send in the cavalry of eighth grade teachers at this point.

Related:

Topics: Mobility, Apple, Government, Government US, Hardware, Smartphones

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44 comments
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  • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

    The government has cash?????????
    CobraA1
    Reply Vote

    • Alot of companies have more then the US. gov

      @CobraA1
      I'd like to see what Exxon's bank account looks like! :)

      But then Apple and these other companies don't own any cool stuff like jet fighters, tanks, aircraft carriers and submarines!
      William Farrell
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

        @William Farrell hehe true, but who needs them?

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        Micheldb
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      • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

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        giacomo Al
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    • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

      @CobraA1

      Sure, hot off the printing press!
      wkulecz
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

      @CobraA1 Lots of companies have more cash on hand than the USA. That is what this debt limit crisis is about. Bank of America, which the USA bailed out a <strong><a href="http://brighteyesdrops.com/dry-eye-syndrome/">dry eye syndrome</a></strong> while ago, has more cash on hand.

      Based on Apple???s last quarterly <strong><a href="http://brighteyesdrops.com/presbyopia/">presbyopia</a></strong> earnings report on July 19, the Cupertino, Calif.-based enterprise had $76.156 billion in cash and marketable securities as of June 25. The Atlantic <strong><a href="http://brighteyesdrops.com/computer-vision-syndrome/">computer vision syndrome</a></strong> poses the idea that said amount could be ???enough to buy Goldman Sachs or Facebook.???
      timmyuk
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

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      tringo007
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    • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

      @CobraA1

      New reports show that Apple has more cash and marketable securities on <strong><a href="http://learnviolinonlinehq.com/">learn violin online</a></strong> hand than the United States government.
      Might be true, but that just doesn't really say much about Apple, as the US Economy is facked up anyway.

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      Yeah, but they are not really that much worth! The price is over-hyped, really. Sometime soon the investors will find out and the <strong><a href="http://brighteyesdrops.com/">bright eyes drops</a></strong> Apple bubble will burst.
      Be aware, it WILL happen!
      obitwo
      Reply Vote

  • iMerica

    [i]It could certainly buy up some small countries around the world?but the United States, perhaps?[/i]

    Great, like we need a police state ;)
    Tigertank
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

      All groceries to be bought at iFoodz
      75% Apple Tax...

      At least the cities would be well designed, streamlined and modern..
      Hey someone was goona say it..:)
      Tigertank
      Reply Vote

      • Apple has their own Police - er -

        @Tigertank
        I'm sorry - "Loyalty department". :)
        William Farrell
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      • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

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        martyi
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    • I can see it now

      @Tigertank
      Steve Jobs for President! He won't grope your junk!
      Robert Hahn
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

        @Robert Hahn
        No he will just outsource someone too.
        Stan57
        Reply Vote

  • *yawn*

    Lots of companies have more cash on hand than the USA. That is what this debt limit crisis is about. Bank of America, which the USA bailed out a while ago, has more cash on hand.
    Your Non Advocate
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

      @facebook@... quite. If we didn't bail them out, that could have gone to our national debt...

      And BoA got into trouble because of ARMs people couldn't keep up with, people losing their jobs, pay not keeping up with inflation and cost of living, and other things...

      Of course, since their bailouts, it's okay for the same banks to make big speeches about "responsibility" to everybody about everything... (or is it?)
      HypnoToad72
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

        @HypnoToad72 The problem being it wouldn't go to our national debt. Our problem isn't making money, it's spending money. If we didn't bail out BoA, we'd have just blown the money somewhere else.
        Aerowind
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      • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

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        Micheldb
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  • We're bankrupt.

    I think I have more money in my pocket than the Federal gubment has.
    People
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple has more cash than U.S. government

    This is FUD against the federal government. Yes, there are issues right now politically, and yes, the debt limit is a huge issue as is spending and tax collection. <br><br>Forbes is ridiculous.

    EDIT: I meant Fortune.
    hoaxoner
    Reply Vote
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