Media Crowns Cook's $841B Buybacks as Top Apple Legacy Pre-CEO Exit

Media now hails Tim Cook's $841 billion share buybacks—cutting outstanding shares 44% since 2013—as his greatest contribution to Apple's $4T market cap before stepping down as CEO on Sept. 1, 2026. Coverage started April 21 celebrating market cap growth from $350B, revenue quadrupling to $400B, 2,300% stock gains vs. S&P's 700%, supply-chain mastery, 38% China revenue jump, and 2.5B active devices. It progressed through leadership traits and visions to April 24 emphasis on buybacks boosting EPS under successor John Ternus amid AI challenges.