Apple's latest bonds could raise total of $4B in debt from Asia-Pacific region

Citing a person with knowledge of Apple's plans, it was said that the iPhone maker is looking to issue bonds that will raise between $3 billion and $4 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

Word first surfaced on Wednesday that Apple is looking to issue its first bond sale in Taiwan, along with a new bond in Australia. Initial reports suggested Apple was looking to raise about $1 billion in each country.

But the total sum could actually double that, Thursday's report said, "depending on the demand." It also suggested that Apple could issue bonds in Japan and Singapore.

As of March, Apple had some $233 billion in cash, but the vast majority of it is held overseas. For Apple to bring that money back to the U.S., it would have to pay significant repatriation tax rates that the company has signaled it is unwilling to do.

To fuel its capital return program, Apple has issued bonds in a number of denominations around the world, including euros, Japanese yen, Swiss francs, British pounds, and a previously-issued bond in Australian dollars. Apple also returned to the U.S. bond market in March, issuing a $3.5 billion three-part bond.