Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will post much-awaited quarterly earnings on Monday afternoon after the market closes. Analyst Gene Munster, who polled 20 buy side investors, expects Apple to report revenue of around $58 billion and earnings per share of $14.35. Munster expects iPhone units to be in the range of 56-57 million while iPad units and Mac Units are expected to come in around 24-25 million and 4.6 million units respectively.
Investors looking for an update on iPhone 5C and upcoming products
Apart from these numbers, stock watchers will be keenly observing the take of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) on some important company topics; one of which is the iPhone 5C. There have been various reports saying that Apple iPhone 5S has superseded iPhone 5C. Apple makes a fat profit of the sales of 5S,and iPhone 5C sales have slipped significantly. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Apple will stop selling 5C in a year or so.
Last year, in April, Tim Cook said, “We will have some really great stuff in the fall and all across 2014.” In the fall of 2013, Apple launched new iPhones and iPads, and in 2014 it is expected that the company will launch Apple TV in the near future or maybe an iWatch.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has recently been in the news regarding the development of a phablet, contrary to previous statements that the company was moving towards making a device that would fit into the palm of the user, and can be operated with one hand. There has not been any concrete news regarding the iPhablet, but analysts are expecting some further information during the earnings call.
How is China Mobile deal working?
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has recently started selling iPhone on China Mobile, the largest global network carrier. However, according to an analyst at Wedge partners, many China Mobile users were able to get an iPhone from the grey market, so an official launch of iPhone on China mobile will not make a huge difference in the sales numbers. Apple guidance on the matter during the earnings call will make it clear what the company thinks.
Another item to be closely monitored is Apple’s stance on Carl Icahn’s shareholder activism. The activist investor has asked the Cupertino based company to effectively utilize its piles of cash. Though Apple clearly disagrees with Icahn, more information on the matter could be expected on the call.
Better earnings from Apple hurts Korean investors
Apple’s earnings is not only drawing attention among U.S. investors, but also among Korean stock watchers, who are keenly observing the event. Samsung Electronics has been volatile in the Korean stock market, but Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is continuing its upward movement, says a report from Business Korea. Investors are concerned that if Apple comes up with a better than expected earnings, it won’t be good news for rival Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KRX:005930), which accounts for approximately 20% of the market cap of the Korean market.
