A stock split doesn't really have anything to do with their massive pile of cash, and they said that's all they'll be discussing on this call.
A dividend, while not out of the question, has not been something they've acted willing to consider in the past. That would be quite the change in their stance.
You are right of course. I was thinking a split followed by the announcement of a dividend. In this way hedge funds and index funds can offload some of their AAPL exposure to retail investors who do seek a dividend.
I think Apple under Tim Cook is quite different, and is taking shareholders' interests very seriously. Why else would they adopt the resolution to have Apple directors being voted in by majority in the last shareholder meeting?[1]
A dividend, while not out of the question, has not been something they've acted willing to consider in the past. That would be quite the change in their stance.