Investigators see it as part of a long-running pattern by a foreign entity to compromise the security of major U.S. companies, people familiar with the matter said.

WSJ: Chinese Hackers Target U.S. Media

Traditionally, Apple stock has a pattern of running into a product announcement and under-performing for about 30 days after the product announcement.

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The stock's oscillation pattern had become a running joke among brokers and the subject of several skeptical articles in the local press.

FORBES: Magazine Article