Apple CEO Steve Jobs is once again taking a leave of absence from the company for medical reasons.
Earlier today, Jobs — who also took a leave during the first half of 2009 for what was later revealed to be a liver transplant — sent the following e-mail to his staff according to a statement release by Apple:
Team,
At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.
I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.
I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.
Steve
Cook also took over day to day operations of the company in 2009 when Jobs was out. During that time (and the months leading up to it), the health of Jobs and Apple’s succession plan for its iconic founder became a major topic of discussion. With Jobs once again taking a leave, we expect the issue to quickly re-emerge, especially with Apple investors.
When Jobs left the company in 2009, shares of Apple tumbled to below $80 per share. Today, on the heels of record earnings and the introduction of products like iPad and iPhone 4, Apple trades at more more than $300 per share, making it the second most valuable company in the world.
We’ll need to wait until Tuesday to see Wall Street’s reaction to Jobs’s latest leave however; U.S. markets are closed today in observance of the Martin Luther King. Jr. holiday.
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