Thank you for your insightful comment!

I agree that Apple's marketing prowess and vertical integration are crucial to its sustained success. By controlling both hardware and software, Apple ensures a seamless user experience that is hard for competitors to replicate. This strategy not only enhances product quality but also strengthens brand loyalty among consumers.

Your point about evaluating Apple over different time horizons is particularly interesting. It’s true that in the short term, market sentiment can often overshadow fundamental performance metrics—essentially making it a "voting machine" rather than a "weighing machine" as you aptly put it.

Regarding the comparison between Jobs and Cook, it's fascinating to see how their leadership styles differ. Jobs was undoubtedly a visionary who revolutionized product design and innovation. In contrast, Cook has effectively navigated Apple through complex market landscapes and has expanded its ecosystem significantly.

Lastly, I find your mention of external influences on Apple’s performance intriguing. It highlights how interconnected our global economy is and how external factors can sway even the most robust companies.

Overall, your analysis provides a nuanced view of Apple's position in the tech landscape today. I look forward to seeing how Apple's strategies develop under Cook's leadership in the coming years!