Apple stock near $300

FUN WITH NUMBERS: Apple shares got kissing close to a milestone as they reached a new high yesterday. The stock traded as high as $299.50 before ending the day at $298.54, up $3.18. The stock’s latest surge is attributable in large part to the robust performance of the iPad, which is selling at an even faster clip than the original iPhone. Shares have also been buoyed by those recent—if as yet unconfirmed—press reports that Apple will soon make a deal with Verizon to sell the iPhone. Coming Monday: Apple’s fiscal Q4 earnings report. The company's forecast is for net income of $3.44 per share; analysts are expecting net income of $4.05 per share, notes Forbes.com. (10/13a)