Apple Inc. (AAPL): Today's Featured Computer Hardware Winner

Apple (AAPL) pushed the Computer Hardware industry higher today making it today's featured computer hardware winner. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.3%. By the end of trading, Apple rose $3.85 (0.7%) to $585.98 on light volume. Throughout the day, 15.1 million shares of Apple exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 25.3 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $578.86-$587.40 after having opened the day at $580.24 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $582.13. Other companies within the Computer Hardware industry that increased today were: Key Tronic Corporation (KTCC), up 15.6%, Hutchinson Technology (HTCH), up 6%, Cray (CRAY), up 4.6%, and SMART Technologies (SMT), up 3.6%.

Apple Inc., together with subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication devices, and portable digital music and video players, as well as sells various related software, services, peripherals, and networking solutions. Apple has a market cap of $546.06 billion and is part of the technology sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 14.2, equal to the average computer hardware industry P/E ratio and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 43.7% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 37 analysts that rate Apple a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and one rates it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Apple as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, notable return on equity, expanding profit margins and solid stock price performance. Although the company may harbor some minor weaknesses, we feel they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results.

• You can view the full Apple Ratings Report.

On the negative front, OCZ Technology Group (OCZ), down 14%, Interphase (INPH), down 8.9%, Hauppauge Digital (HAUP), down 6.7%, and Video Display Corporation (VIDE), down 6.1%, were all losers within the computer hardware industry with EMC Corporation (EMC) being today's computer hardware industry loser.

• Use our computer hardware section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the computer hardware industry could consider iShares Dow Jones US Technology (IYW) while those bearish on the computer hardware industry could consider ProShares Ultra Short Semiconductor (SSG).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on Apple Inc click any of the following:

• Apple Inc Stock Price

• Apple Inc Analyst Ratings

• Apple Inc Key Stats & Profile

• Apple Inc Earnings

• Apple Inc Ratio Comparison

• Apple Inc Growth Rates

• Apple Inc Balance Sheet

• Apple Inc Cash Flow

• Apple Inc Income Statement