Here's what could really feed a stock market bubble

Forget GameStop – this is potentially much more dangerous.

| More on:
a man in a business suit leans in to burst a huge bubble with a pin, indicating a major share market crash

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The stock market roared ahead on Tuesday morning, as recent fears from late last week faded completely into the background. As of just before 11.30am EST Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: .DJI) had soared 587 points to 30,799. The S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP: .INX) had gained 63 points to 3,837, and the Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ: .IXIC)  climbed 185 points to 13,588.

Many people within the investment community have looked askance at the short squeeze that has hit GameStop (NYSE: GME) and other stocks recently. GameStop shares fell dramatically Tuesday morning, losing 45% of their value. Many expect the stock price to drop still further, undoing the gains that the video game retailer has seen over the past few weeks.

Yet there's something else that happened yesterday that has far larger implications for the stock market. By itself, it's a small thing. But it's only the latest example of how companies are boosting the risk levels in their stocks in order to drive short-term returns – and the move could backfire in the long run.

Apple levers up

The key piece of news came from Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL). The tech giant sold a total of $14 billion in debt, with several different maturities. Here were the final terms:

  • $2.5 billion in five-year notes priced to yield about 0.75%.
  • $2.5 billion in seven-year notes priced to yield just under 1.25%.
  • $2.75 billion in 10-year notes with a yield of 1.65%.
  • $1.5 billion in 20-year notes yielding just under 2.40%.
  • $3 billion in 30-year notes with a yield of almost 2.70%.
  • $1.75 billion in 40-year notes yielding just over 2.80%.

The offering was substantially oversubscribed. Investors flocked to try to grab even these relatively low yields, with more than $33 billion in orders.

This was the third time that Apple had tapped the credit markets in less than a year. A May 2020 bond sale raised $8.5 billion, while the iPhone maker raised another $5.5 billion last August.

What's the problem?

Apple's explanation for the capital raise was consistent with what you'd see from any other company. The tech giant said it expects to use the money for general corporate purposes. Investors expect a big chunk of it to go toward dividend payments and stock repurchases.

But the strange thing about the offering is that Apple has absolutely no need for additional cash. The company reported nearly $77 billion in cash and short-term equivalents as of the end of 2020.

The move continues a long trend for Apple. As recently as 2013, It had less than $17 billion in total outstanding long-term debt. That number had multiplied nearly sixfold to just under $100 billion at the end of last year. This bond offering will take Apple's debt well into 12 figures.

In the early 2010s, there was at least a reasonable explanation for the debt offering. Much of Apple's cash was locked overseas, and there would be huge tax consequences from repatriating it and paying it to shareholders. But the 2018 tax reform efforts ended that concern.

Instead, what's now happening is that Apple is boosting its leverage. By buying shares and increasing debt levels, any future growth will get magnified in terms of per-share earnings performance.

A ticking time bomb?

Many will argue that Apple is just about the safest company in the business world to use this strategy. They'd largely be right. Taking advantage of rock-bottom interest rates to lever up one's business makes perfect sense as long as you believe you can generate better returns with that cash than you're paying in interest.

The problem, though, could come when other companies follow Apple's lead. Not every business has the staying power that Apple has, and if fortunes change, paying down that debt might prove difficult. History has seen countless examples of companies borrowing to buy back stock, only to have to turn right around and sell shares at much lower prices to repay debt during tough times.

Low interest rates are tempting, and companies that can prudently use them to finance growth opportunities are smart to do so. But borrowing just to buy back stock is a step in the wrong direction, and it pushes up the risk levels even for high-quality stocks like Apple. Moreover, the trend could feed rises in stock prices that could increase the chance of a stock market bubble in the near term.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Dan Caplinger owns shares in Apple. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on International Stock News

A young entrepreneur boy catching money at his desk, indicating growth in the ASX share price or dividends
International Stock News

Why this high-flying investor is selling Tesla shares and buying this US tech stock instead

Ark Invest funds have been selling the electric vehicle maker's stock over the last few weeks and reinvesting the proceeds…

Read more »

two computer geeks sit across from each other with their laptop computers touching as they look confused and confounded by what they are seeing on their screens.
International Stock News

Is Nvidia stock heading to $175?

The bulls are lining up ahead of Nvidia's earnings report next week.

Read more »

A woman holds a bitcoin token in her hand as she smiles at the camera in the background.
International Stock News

Bitcoin keeps soaring. Could it hit $95,000 this week?

Could the current crypto rally have enough juice to push the coin above that once-inconceivable level?

Read more »

A boy in a green shirt holds up his hands in front of a screen full of question marks.
International Stock News

2 reasons to buy Nvidia shares before November 20 (and 1 reason to wait)

This top AI stock has soared nearly 200% this year!

Read more »

A group of friends push their van up the road on an Australian road.
International Stock News

Why Tesla stock just pulled back

Tesla finally hit a speed bump after a blistering post-election rally.

Read more »

Two happy excited friends in euphoria mood after winning in a bet with a smartphone in hand.
International Stock News

Why Tesla stock keeps going up

Tesla stock costs more than $1 trillion now. Is that too expensive?

Read more »

A businessman in soft-focus holds two fingers in the air in the foreground of the shot as he stands smiling in the background against a clear sky.
International Stock News

2 Numbers I'll be looking for on November 20 when Nvidia reports earnings

While many analysts and investors will be looking at revenue and profit growth, two other figures are more important to…

Read more »

A man wearing a blue jumper and a hat looks at his laptop with a distressed and fearful look on his face.
International Stock News

Magnificent Seven: Unstoppable tech stock giants or risky buys?

Did you know the "Magnificent Seven" moniker was meant as a warning, not an endorsement? Check out the risks and…

Read more »