Apple’s stock values closed at a gain of $5.51 today, pushing the company’s stock value up to a company record of $636.34 ahead of the launch of the iPhone 5.
The anticipation of the iPhone 5 can be seen everywhere: in the faces of the public, in the training records of carriers, in the prices of older models, and now in the stock market. After a decidedly weak third quarter, Apple’s stock values haven’t seen much of a jump in the last month save for what we saw today (via Mac Rumors). The jump pushed the company over its previous record of $636.23 set on April 9th of 2012 (just one month after the unveiling of the iPad 3) by only a small margin.
The excellent stock growth that Apple is seeing no doubt has to do with the rumors circulating around a September launch date for the iPhone 5. As more parts, pieces, and information leaks about the device (including projected sales) more investors are looking to get a bite of the big Apple.
Those that already hold shares in the company also received a surprise today: a cash dividend of $2.65 per-share. This would be the first dividend payment to Apple shareholders since December of 1995.