NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) May 4, 2000--Standard&Poor's today placed its double-'B'-minus corporate credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on Apple Computer Inc. on CreditWatch with positive implications. The CreditWatch placement is based on Apple's strong financial profile and consistent revenue growth and profitability. Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple's ratings reflect extremely competitive personal computer (PC) industry conditions and weak, but improving, market share. Apple has a good position in the education and desktop publishing markets, and is gaining market share in the consumer PC market. The company's recent unit sales growth has been well in excess of the overall market growth, however, Apple remains dependent on a relatively limited product base. Apple's financial profile has significantly strengthened over
