Tim Cook has responded to Apple being replaced as the world's most valuable company by oil and gas firm Exxon Mobil.
Speaking to employees at a Town Hall meeting, Apple's CEO is said to have told his staff and colleagues that "we [Apple] just had the best quarter of any technology company ever." Cook expressed his appreciation for his teams that contributed towards its Q4 2012 results.
On losing its place as the world's most valuable company, he added (obviously referring to gas and fuel market leader Exxon) that "the only companies that report better quarters pump oil. I do not know about you all, but I do not want to work for those companies."
Cook also apparently stressed that the share price is not Apple's focus. Instead, the priority is satisfying consumers with worthy new products. He added that Apple is generally misunderstood and the iPhone maker will always have critics despite how successful it is.
During the fourth quarter of 2012, Apple announced record revenue but a flat profit margin. Revenue increased by 18 percent to $54.5 billion, while net profit remained unchanged from the previous year's $13.1 billion. It sold 47.8 million iPhones (analysts expected upwards of 50 million units sold due to the iPhone 5) and 22.9 million iPad units. Following the quarter results, Apple's shares decreased by 12 percent, knocking off $50 billion in its market capitalization.
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Zak Islam is a freelance writer focusing on security, networking, and general computing. His work also appears at Digital Trends and Tom's Guide.
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uhh3000 "Instead, priority is satisfying consumers with worthy new products."Reply
...when was this supposed to start? -
A Bad Day ReplyHe added that Apple is generally misunderstood and the iPhone maker will always have critics despite how successful it is.
Silly Cook, investors care about the total revenue, and your products indirectly didn't meet their expectations! -
Shin-san CookCook also apparently stressed that the share price is not Apple's focus. Instead, the priority is satisfying consumers with worthy new products. This is a good answer, even though a bit on the clever words. Not too crazy about the pumping oil one thoughReply -
halcyon If they would just give iOS a radical makeover that would allow for a bit more customization.Reply -
applegetsmelaid Exxon is who keeps the manufacturing plants running and the product shipping across the seas. Apple should show more respect.Reply -
burmese_dude His exact quotes were that.... "share price is not Apple's focus. It's my wealth, B!tches. And suing the sh!t out of competition. Yeah that's really important, too."Reply -
abbadon_34 While good PR for someone with Al Gore on their board, he should be more professional instead of acting a spoiled child envious of someone because of their car/looks/money/clothes/girlfriend/high scoreReply