Steve Jobs Rumored Terminally Ill; Shares Fall
Rumors that Apple CEO Steve Jobs was spotted leaving a cancer clinic in Palo Alto have had a negative impact on Apple shares.
Late last month Apple announced that its CEO, Steve Jobs, would be taking a medical leave of absence so he could focus on his health. The reason for his leave was not elaborated upon, but, as usual, the announcement affected shares and sparked a debate about whether or not Apple could run without Steve Jobs. If the company couldn’t function without him, some believed shareholders had a right to know the more intimate details of his condition so they could reevaluate their options. However, as always, Apple and Jobs kept schtum about what was wrong.
Today fresh reports from Radar Online say the National Enquirer (we’ll pause while you swallow the whole salt-lick) spotted Jobs leaving the Stanford Cancer Center center in his home town of Palo Alto. The report in the National Enquirer carries with it the headline “Apple Boss 6 Weeks to Live,” while Radar Online claims it has confirmed he is receiving treatment there. Neither publication seems to have information as to whether Jobs is receiving treatment related to past illnesses (a liver transplant in 2009, or surgery to combat a rare form of pancreatic cancer seven years ago) or a new condition.
The images don’t seem to be available online (at least, not at time of writing), but despite this, Apple shares are once again hurting because of the news. Cult of Mac reports that Apple stock is currently down about three points in after-hours trading and that it’s likely to take a big hit tomorrow when the markets reopen.
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Screw the shares..one's health comes first.
Good in one way & that is that the money market seems to think highly of him as a driving force behind Apple & thus he will always be needed whether healthy or unhealthy...
What the shareholders should be asking themselves is why they are investing in a huge multi-billion dollar company that can be brought to its knees by one mans heart beat.
And if Steve wants to keep his health private (which I respect) then he should make a statement to the effect that he only takes a back seat at Apple now anyway - or he should focus on trying to announce his gradually relaxed influence on product developement. At least this way, his company might not take such a huge hit when he eventually passes on.
Personally I think his ego likes thinking that he is solely responsible for the whole of Apple's success and that he doesn't care what happens when he dies as he won't be around.
Whether the rumor is true or not, maybe Apple should focus on marketing their products instead of marketing the person behind it. Stand behind the product, not the ego. I respect Apple, and also respect the companies that are in Apple's crosshairs, but I do believe that Apple sells more products based on Steve Jobs' marketing techniques and many consumer's loyalty to the brand while other companies do well with promoting based on their device's functions.
-BB owner, Apple owner, Android owner, all devices have their advantages and disadvantages. Too many people are loyal to a product based on logo, name, and promotional tools. Just purchase the product that best fits your needs, business, style, and just plainly what you want to get out of it.
One man maketh not the company.
I wish Steve Jobs good wishes and hope the shareholders are struck down with the dreaded flu!
I feel sorry for the person Jobs. Even an arrogant snob like he doesn't deserve cancer, in fact nobody does.
However, I'm happy for the CEO Jobs. Without him, Apple might finally be able to shed its arrogance and (misguided) feeling of superiority. Who knows, they might even start to put security first for Mac OS X...