Apple Inc Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs, a cancer survivor, was granted a leave of absence to focus on his health, putting the company in the hands of Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook for the third time in seven years.
Cook will be responsible for the day-to-day operations, with Jobs continuing as CEO, Apple said today, citing an e-mail to employees from Jobs. The Apple co-founder took an almost six- month break to have a liver transplant in 2009.
“I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can,” Jobs,55, said in the e-mail. Jobs said he will continue to “be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.”
The current medical leave follows one for cancer surgery in 2004 and the transplant in 2009. In the 14 years since taking charge of Apple, he has transformed the business from a computer-industry also-ran into the world’s largest technology company by market value. He introduced the iPod, iPhone and iPad — products that became the trendsetters in each of their markets.
“This comes as a surprise; there was no hint of trouble at all,” said Alexander Peterc, an analyst at Exane BNP Paribas in London. “The lack of a more precise indication on the length of the leave suggests there are long-term issues with his health.”
Apple spokesman Steve Dowling declined to comment beyond the statement. The company will likely face questions about the leave during a conference call with analysts tomorrow after Apple reports first-quarter financial results.