In terms of acquiring another company for the sake of clearing up existing issues, a distribution breakthrough in any BRIC country would do a world of good for Apple by boosting share prices and easing an area of investor concern.

FORBES: To Buy Or Not to Buy: Strategies That Make Sense For Apple

Currency traders are rapidly shifting assets to countries seen as less likely to try to weaken their currencies, amid concern that the fresh round of US monetary easing could trigger another clash in the "currency wars".

CNN: QE3 triggers fear of new currency wars