purchased more than five percent of Apple Computer Inc., adding to speculation that the money-losing personal computer maker will turn around.

Al-Waleed, who invested in Citicorp, Euro Disney SCA and other companies just before their businesses improved, said he sees "serious potential for Apple to provide larger returns to its stockholders''.

The prince said that he bought the Apple shares "over the last several weeks for an aggregate investment of $115 million''.

Apple shares, which fell to 15 1/4 on February 5, their lowest in more than ten years, received a boost last week when Oracle Corp. Chief Executive Larry Ellison said he is soliciting comment via electronic mail on whether he should make a bid for Apple.

Ellison's statement boosted Apple's shares 11 percent on Thursday. Shares rose 1/2 to 18 in early trading today.

A block of 2 million Apple shares changed hands Thursday for 19, and another block of 2.69 million shares traded Monday at 19 3/8.

"It's good to see someone make a vote of confidence in the company,'' said Tim Bajarin, an independent analyst with Creative Research Strategies. "We knew there were two blocks that were purchased recently. That was the quandary here in Silicon Valley -- whether Ellison was behind this or someone else.'' Al-Waleed said in a statement he "will monitor events closely'' to see what steps Ellison takes.

Neither Apple officials nor the Prince's spokesman in Washington could be reached immediately for comment.

Al-Waleed, a nephew of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd and one of the richest men in the world, invested $800 million in Citicorp in 1991 when the world's largest bank was believed to be near insolvency and became its largest shareholder. He later sold part of his stake for more than double what he paid for it. He also has done well on his Euro Disney investment. He is worth an estimated $10 billion.

On March 19, Trans World Airlines Inc. said Al-Waleed bought five percent of the company's shares, expanding his vast worldwide holdings with a bet that the struggling airline's stock will prove to be a bargain.

Exactly a week later, the billionaire nephew of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia announced he was buying a five percent stake in the Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), whose Dreamward sails to Bermuda, for $20 million.

Al-Waleed's other holdings include hotels, banks, broadcasters and retailers.

He owns stakes in Saks Fifth Avenue and London's Canary Wharf office development. He also owns luxury hotels including New York's Plaza hotel, San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel, the Hotel George V in Paris and a stake in the Four Seasons Hotel Inc. chain.

In addition, he is a partner in pop star Michael Jackson's Kingdom Entertainment venture. In March, he was reported to be interested in buying Fokker NV, the bankrupt Dutch aircraft maker.

His name has come up frequently as a potential buyer of the Princess hotel chain, including the Hamilton and Southampton Princess hotels in Bermuda.