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Apple Shares Plunge As Growth Appears To Stall

NEW YORK (AP) - Apple shares are plunging after the company reported quarterly results that point to growth slowing after five blowout years.

The stock was down $50.68, or 9.9 percent, at $463.32 in late morning trading.

Even with the stock's decline, Apple Inc. is the world's most valuable company, a position it's held for more than a year. But it's now worth just 4 percent more than No. 2 Exxon Mobil Corp.

Late Wednesday, Apple reported October-December earnings that were flat compared with the year before. It predicted sales growth for the current quarter of around 7 percent _far from the 50-percent-plus rate it's often hit in recent years. Analysts believe Apple is unable to fully capitalize on the global smartphone boom with just one new _and very expensive_ phone model every year.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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