Apple Inc. has Wall Street's full attention after hinting at plans for the company's $100 billion cash pile that may lead to stockholders receiving a dividend.

Apple is "actively discussing" uses for its cash, including a dividend, buyback, acquisitions and supply-chain investments, Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer told analysts and investors Jan. 24 in an earnings conference call.

The comments were a welcome sign for investors who have called for a dividend as Cupertino, California-based Apple has added to its balance sheet. Apple's $97.6 billion in cash and investments is larger than the market value of all but 26 companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. The total could reach $150 billion by year-end if the company doesn't give money back to shareholders, said David Rolfe, chief investment officer of Wedgewood Partners Inc.