“Mr. Jobs suffers from immune system issues common with people who have received liver transplants and, as a result, his health suffers from frequent ‘ups and downs,’ according to a person with knowledge of the situation, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it,” Helft reports. “In recent weeks, Mr. Jobs began a down cycle and slowed his activities at Apple, the person said. Mr. Jobs has been coming to the office about two days a week, and appeared increasingly emaciated, the person said. He frequently lunched in his office, rather than in the company cafeteria, the person said.”
Helft reports, “Analysts said that many investors might wonder whether Mr. Jobs will come back to Apple at all, and trade accordingly. ‘It is natural that investors will expect the worse,’ said Charles Wolf, an analyst with Needham & Company, noting that Apple has a history of ‘minimal disclosure” and “obfuscating’ details about Mr. Jobs’s health. Mr. Wolf said that regardless of whether Mr. Jobs returns to Apple, the company would probably continue doing well for the foreseeable future, though its long-term prospects are a matter of speculation. ‘Right now Apple has a management team that is one of the greatest in American business,’ Mr. Wolf said. ‘Whatever trajectory the company is on will continue for two to five years, regardless of whether Steve comes back.'”
Full article here.
I’ve often wondered if his vegan diet plays a role in this since it is becoming more established that lectins from legumes and gliadin and glutenin from grains are likely major triggers for auto-immune responses by the body. Nevertheless, I hope he can overcome this. Best wishes and a speedy recovery, Steve.
Two to five years? More like at least five to ten years at a minimum.
The stock will tank- you can count on it. At that point, it will be time to buy (the question, of course, is how long to wait before buying).
Apple is going up and up with or without Jobs (at least for the next few years). They will weather this…
agreed, 3-5 years is safe, after that apple will slowly but surely become an ordinary tech company.
i have a bad feeling about this, but i really, really hope i am wrong. get well steve, we need you!!
Steve is asking for privacy and yet rags like MDN can’t resist publishing articles at every opportunity. I don’t get it. Just resist. Respect the man that built the industry that you profit from now.
I simply don’t TRUST the New York Times. They are such publicity whores, this story is most likely made up.
The great “speaking on condition of anonymity” clause, which often translates to, “I needed a source when I pulled this out of my ass”.
As proof – I’ve spoken to several friends (former colleagues) who work at the Cupertino campus – they do not concur.
Is there anything else to talk about?
MDN, Steve Jobs has asked for privacy on his health issues, yet you are continuing to post articles regarding speculation on his health.
This man is the heart and soul of Apple and you don’t want to talk about it? I have (what to me is), a lot of money in Apple and I want to know what is going on. Plus, I care a lot about Steve as a person. I don’t intend to knock on his door myself, but I’d like people in the know to keep me somewhat informed without harassing him or his family.
Can’t wait for iPad II.
And “rags” like you are reading every word that comes out so get off your high horse. This is Apple news like it or not.
Steve is gone and so is Apple. I knew it was too good to last. The hedge fund managers are already to close out their Apple accounts and by the time the market closes on Tuesday, Apple share will be practically worthless. It’s hard to believe a company can fall so quickly.
The iHaters were hoping that Steve would die and the company would collapse so the computer industry would return to Microsoft. They got their wish. It’s merely a matter of the survival of the fittest. Apple is worth next to nothing without Steve Jobs. Talk of his imminent death won’t help matters one bit.
On Tap:
1. Best xmas quarterly report of any company ever
2. iPad II – continues the iPad world conquest
3. iPhone 5 release – continues to sell like hot cakes
4. Verizon sales numbers prove to be bombastic
5. Apples continues growth and fire on all cylinders
Smile much? Geesh.
I’m betting Apple has held onto it’s big war chest of money for just such a problem: investors pulling out upon hearing of Steve being gone (can’t bring myself to use the “d” word). If investors pull out Apple will need that stashed money (that “experts” keep bitching at them to give to investors). That stored money will save them by giving them the money to continue to pay top notch creatives, and fund innovation until they can prove they can stand alone without Steve and the stock takes off again.
@MacRaven?!? What are you talking about? Once a company goes public, it does not get additional cash from investors, unless it issues more shares, thru a dilution. Investors pulling out, do not pull out Apple’s billions in cash.
Apple’s cash is not going to “pay” anyone. They have a 5 and 10-year plan, obvious to anyone who has watched Apple put all the pieces of a digital hug together, and they will implement that plan. No need for rash spending.
I think there is a contingency plan in case of the inevitable Steve jobs is no longer with Apple. His replacement may or may not have his charisma and market savvy buy I think Apple will survive and prosper. I do not listen to those money/media whores from New York called Wall Street and The New York Times. The cause more harm than good and unless you have a personal stake in both, ignore them as the dog turd in the doggie park that the human owner rudely left behind.
“never have so many owed so much to so few”
Churchill’s words have new meaning.
It is very simple and due to the primitive state of out medicine currently. “Immune system issues are common” with any organ transplant because to prevent an immune attack on the foreign transplanted tissues and rejection of that tissue, the patient’s immune system is deliberately suppressed by anti rejection (read anti immune) drugs. If you suppress immunity then of course there is a high probability of problems.