$1.$ Examine how much Apple Inc has paid in dividends over the past year. $[$Hint: Obtain the dividends paid by Apple inc, both in aggregate terms and on a per$-$share basis. Also, split these dividends into ordinary and special dividends each period.

Provide a brief description of the dividend history of the firm $($when did the firm start paying dividends? how much was the initial dividend? how did it increase over time? etc.... If the firm does not pay dividends, then using information provided by the firm or your own assessment explain why$).$

Specify the amount of dividends paid last year in both aggregate and a per$-$share basis. If the firm has paid a special dividend last year, then split the dividend paid into ordinary and special dividend.

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$2.$ Estimate the proportion of net income paid out as dividends $($dividend payout ratio$)$ over the period as well as dividends as percentage of the market value of equity $($dividend yield$).$

Estimate the dividend payout ratio and the dividend yield.

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$3.$ Should Apple Inc. continue with the current dividend policy or should it increase$/$decrease its dividend payout rate? Justify your recommendation based on your knowledge of the dividend policy and the reasons why firms decide to distribute a dividend or not.