“If history is any guide, the time is approaching for a stock-split from Apple,” Carl Gutierrez reports for Forbes.

“On Friday, shares of the computer and technology products company rose 3.3%, or $5.21, to a record close of $161.45,” Gutierrez reports.

“More than being a record high, Friday’s close also brings with it questions of what Steve Jobs is thinking and whether or not a stock-split is in Apple’s near future. Looking in the company’s past, it’s had 2-for-1 splits in 1987, 2000 and 2005, each time when its shares were worth about $100,” Gutierrez reports.

MacDailyNews Note: Apple stock split history:
(Date Declared – Record or Split Date – Payable Date (date NASDAQ trading began on split-adjusted basis): Type)
Feb. 11, 2005 – Feb. 18, 2005 – Feb. 28, 2005: 2-for-1 Stock Split
Apr. 19, 2000 – May. 19, 2000 – Jun. 20, 2000: 2-for-1 Stock Split
Apr. 22, 1987 – May. 15, 1987 – Jun. 15, 1987: 2-for-1 Stock Split
source: Apple Inc.

Gutierrez continues, “The Cupertino, Calif.-based company obviously omitted a split when it crossed $100 in the spring, but that might be explained by a rapid ascent taking the company by surprise.”

Full load here.

This a meaningless piece of Columbus Day fluff from Forbes. Apple was too surprised to split at $100? Give us a break.

Of course, Apple could just as easily decide to split the stock as not, but, if anything, Apple lately seems to have adopted the approach of no stock splits and allowing the share price to move beyond historical ranges.