Apple (AAPL) Has a $206 Billion Catalyst and Carl Icahn is Leading the Charge

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has potentially a huge catalyst and it's not about iPhones, iCars, or Apple TV. The catalyst is related to Carl Icahn, one the company's largest and most outspoken shareholders.

Mr. Icahn has a big goal in Washington DC and because of his pitbull-like tenacity and negotiating tactics there is a very good chance that his goal may become a reality sooner rather than later.

The catalyst we are talking about is the repatriation of the company's $206 billion cash hoard... tax free.

Based on Icahn's comments at yesterday's DealBook conference, he is going to great lengths to get a bill passed in Congress.

"There's a law that's almost absurd... almost a complete no brainer not to pass in the next month... it's really closer than people think. I've been working on this for the last three weeks... talking to Schumer, talking to Paul Ryan, talking to all these guys about it... repatriation."

He said we need a law that allows these companies to bring back their cash, before they move out like Pfizer.

When asked if he thinks there is a realistic chance of it getting done, Icahn said "I'm hoping". Then with a mischievous grin he said "I'll be proud of myself" and Congress if it is passed. "I think they all want to do it," he said, although he also noted the partisan gridlock that could still derail it.

While Icahn did not mention Apple by name, you can bet this is the main reason he is spending so much time and effort on getting the bill passed. With nearly 53 million shares, Icahn stands to benefit greatly if the company can bring back their cash to the U.S. tax free.

Below is the video

You May Also Be Interested In

• Midday movers: PepsiCo, JetBlue fall; GM, Danaher and UPS rise
• Midday top small-cap gainers
• Tesla (TSLA) soars on Q1 print