1. How many shares of Apple common stock are issued and outstanding at (a) September 30, 2017, and (b) September 24, 2016? 2. What is the total amount of cash dividends paid to common stockholders for the years ended (a) September 30, 2017, and (b) September 24, 2016? 3. Identify basic EPS amounts for fiscal years (a) 2017 and (b) 2016. 4. Is Apple’s EPS on a favorable or unfavorable trend from 2016 to 2017? 5. If Apple buys back outstanding shares from investors, would you expect EPS to increase or decrease from the buyback?

I got the information from Apple's Form 10-K reported by the SEC.

1. How many shares of Apple common stock are issued and outstanding at (a) September 30, 2017, and (b) September 24, 2016?

2016: 5,470,820  shares

2017: 5,217,242  shares

2. What is the total amount of cash dividends paid to common stockholders for the years ended (a) September 30, 2017, and (b) September 24, 2016?

2016: $12 billion paid in dividends

2017: $12.6 billion paid in dividends

3. Identify basic EPS amounts for fiscal years (a) 2017 and (b) 2016.

2016: $8.35 per share

2017: $9.27 per share

4. Is Apple’s EPS on a favorable or unfavorable trend from 2016 to 2017?

favorable since it increased from $8.35 to $9.27, or 11%

5. If Apple buys back outstanding shares from investors, would you expect EPS to increase or decrease from the buyback?

EPS should increase since the total amount of outstanding shares will decrease. Wen you are calculating a fraction, if the denominator decreases, the value of the fraction increases. Apple has excess cash, so it can afford to buy back shares without affecting its normal operations.

answer; intellectual property protection;