Apple Inc. stands poised to pump even more billions back to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, setting it apart from AI-spending rivals. The tech giant announced a record $110 billion share repurchase in 2024, followed by another $100 billion last year. Charles Rinehart, chief investment officer at MarketWatch , expects similar scale in 2026 alongside a mid-single-digit dividend hike. That’s cash returning directly to investors. While peers burn through reserves on data centers, Apple chooses buybacks. But. This shareholder windfall arrives amid a manufacturing pivot few saw coming so fast. Tariffs from President Trump’s administration—54% on China, 26% on India, 46% on Vietnam—hit hard. Apple forecasts a $900 million cost spike this quarter alone, as BBC News reports. CEO Tim Cook revealed on an earnings call that a majority of U.S.-bound iPhones now hail from India. Nearly all iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and AirPods? From Vietnam. China still dominates for non-U.S. sales, Cook noted.…