Tim Cook Cashes in $3.6 Million in Stock as Respected Analyst Gives Him Passing Grades

Apple CEO Tim Cook sold 30,000 shares of Apple stock this week, valued at $3.6 million based on the company's stock price of $120 at the time of the transactions, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchanges Commission disclosure. The shares were sold as scheduled pursuant to Cook's predetermined trading plan.

tim_cook_hands_raised
Cook retains 1,009,809 company shares worth over $121 million based on Apple's current stock price following the sale.

A recent SEC filing revealed Cook was paid $8.7 million in 2016, which is $1.5 million less than he was paid in 2015. The decrease stems from Apple failing to meet its own target performance goals for both net sales and operating income in 2016, resulting in senior executives receiving only 89.5% of their cash incentives.

However, upon reaching his fifth anniversary as Apple CEO last year, Cook cashed in nearly $137 million in previously-awarded stock bonuses tied to both his tenure and Apple's performance under his leadership. Accordingly, after bonuses, Cook actually earned roughly $145 million last year, his biggest payout yet.

Yesterday, Apple analyst Neil Cybart opined that Cook and his inner circle are "doing what needs to be done in order to maintain Apple's relevancy," but he noted "there is room for improvement." He called out sporadic Mac and iPad updates, and slow progress with Siri, as two blemishes among others in its product strategy.

In attempt to add a bit of relative context to this subjective grading:

• Product Strategy: A-
• Product Pipeline/R&D: A
• Operations: B-
• Marketing/Storytelling: C+
• Culture: B+
• Public Face: A+
• Financials: B

In related shareholder news, the world's largest asset manager BlackRock has increased its stake in Apple and now holds 6.1% of outstanding shares in the company, up from 5.7% a year ago. Its 322,683,504 shares are valued at over $38.7 billion based on Apple's current stock price.

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Top Rated Comments

thadoggfather Avatar
110 months ago
A- for product strategy,

Explain yourself,

A+ for public face, really???

'AirPods (that are repeatedly back ordered because supply is super weak) are a runaway success'

Pffft, puff piece report card,
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
110 months ago
Product pipeline/R&D has "A" grade?
Who are we kidding?
3 year old design iPhone, overpriced MacBook Pro that is not Pro...
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
billybobthornton Avatar
110 months ago
Product Strategy - W (Withdrew)
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gugy Avatar
110 months ago
Tim, I don't care how much money you make or cash in. Just get your act together and make the Mac great again. Desktops, laptops and peripherals (the ecosystem) need big time love. Don't go down in history as the guy who killed the Mac.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MH01 Avatar
110 months ago
Product Strategy: A-
Product Pipeline/R&D: A

Based on what??? Its a complete secret..........if it exists.

In my opinion he get a healthy pass, though that is cause he keeps bringing in the profits, so financials should be A for milking the existing product line and maximising profits.

Though to give him an A- and A for words.......please.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
110 months ago
Easy to get a passing grade when you're still turning in homework done for you by a product and marketing genius 5 years ago.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)