Apple's dividend heralds 'changing of the guard'

What would Steve have done? It's a question that Apple CEO Tim Cook can't escape. From the naming of the new iPad to his choice of clothing at public events, company-watchers parse Cook's every move, looking for differences ...

Apple to pay dividend, start stock buybacks

Thirty-six years after its founding, Apple Inc. is finally loosening up its purse strings to reward shareholders directly, by instituting a dividend and share buyback program.

Qualcomm ups dividend, approves up to $4B buyback

(AP) -- Mobile phone chip-maker Qualcomm Inc. said Tuesday that its board approved the increase of its quarterly dividend by 16 percent to 25 cents and up to $4 billion in stock buybacks.

Cisco beats estimates with 2Q earnings, sales (Update)

(AP) -- Cisco, the world's largest maker of computer networking equipment, on Wednesday said that its net income jumped 44 percent in the latest quarter as it continues to put last year's slump behind it.

Microsoft raises dividend 25 pct to support stock

(AP) -- Microsoft Corp. is trying to lift its stock price by boosting its dividend 25 percent, the largest increase since the world's largest software maker started the quarterly payments seven years ago.

Intel boosts dividend for 2nd time in 6 months

(AP) -- Intel Corp. has raised its quarterly dividend by 16 percent, boosting what was already one of the highest-yielding shareholder payouts in technology.

National Semiconductor to cut 1,725 jobs

(AP) -- Faced with a steep decline in sales, chip maker National Semiconductor Corp. said Wednesday it will eliminate more than one-quarter of its work force, or 1,725 jobs.

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