Apple’s not only the biggest tech company according to its Market Cap (currently $301.79bn). It also has nearly $70 billion in the bank, which, according to one analyst, is enough to buy at least three-quarters of the mobile phone industry.
Asymco analyst Horace Dediu gives the following valuations for Apple’s mobile phone market competitors:
Nokia costs $22.6 billion;
RIM $13.8 billion
HTC $25.4 billion
Motorola $4.2 billion
All of these companies add up to 75 per cent of the world’s mobile phone sales, Dediu claims. (Total cost: $66)
If Apple wanted to stretch the bank further, it could add LG at $10bn. (Total: $76)
And Sony Ericsson at $3bn. (Total: $79bn)
The only mobile phone vender left is Samsung, valued at a pricy, $53b. (Total: $132bn). While Apple couldn’t afford that right now, Dediu thinks that Apple may soon be able to afford that too: “As market values of phone vendors continue to decline, Apple’s cash will continue to grow dramatically. Indeed, a time may soon come when Apple’s cash will be worth more than the entire phone industry,” he claims.
Of course, should Apple buy up the whole of the mobile phone industry the anti-competition courts may have something to say.
