Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) might release iPhone 5 earlier than expected while iPad Mini may come on a later date.
There is a possibility that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would introduce the iPhone 5 earlier than its scheduled release on September 12 in San Francisco, according to the report of Shaw Wu, an analyst from research firm Sterne Agee.
Wu cited that an earlier release is most likely, because the speculations of the upcoming iPhone 5 impacted the Apple’s near-term results. On the other hand, the iPad Mini might be introduced on a later date. Based on his latest observation, during his latest visit with Apple’s suppliers in the Asia Pacific, their production of the iPad Mini did not start yet, but they are almost ready for volume production. The schedule for the introduction of the smaller iPad is still unclear.
Sterne Agee estimated a conservative near-term result for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in anticipation of the earlier introduction of iPhone 5. Wu projected a $34 billion revenue and $7.65 earnings per share for Apple during its upcoming quarterly report this September, while the consensus expectation from analysts was $34.9 billion revenue and $8.41 earnings per share.
WU believe that Apple will be able to meet consumers demand on iPhone 5 through the in-cell touch screen technology, because it is more efficient and it uses less parts, although he expects lower profit for the company during early months after the release of the product in the market.
According to Wu, the availability of the iPhone 5 in the market would bring significant pressure among its smartphone competitors, as Apple introduces three new significant features. These features include a larger display, 4G LTE wireless, and advanced software functions, including turn by turn navigation maps and native integration with social media such as Facebook (Nasdaq:FB) and Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP). He also expects the shipment of 45 million total iPhone units by December this year.
Sterne Agee’s price target for Apple stock is $780 per share with a “buy” rating. The company’s stock value is up by 0.71 percent to $675 per share during the morning trading on Thursday.
Meanwhile, a report from Forbes asked, Is Apple a Sin Stock? Gerry Sullivan, portfolio manager of Vice Fund (MUTF:VICEX) said he considers video games and Apple products addiction, but he is not sure if Apple is considered a sin stock.
Investor James Altucher considers Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) as a “vice stock”. In an e-mail sent to Forbes Altucher expressed, “I would not think of [Apple] as a vice fund, but I certainly use the iPad as an escape, so it depends on how we define vice. Although, I guess the best thing would be if I just meditated on planes, instead of played Temple Run the entire time.”
On the other hand, Bloomberg Economics Brief Editor, Kevin Depew, said, “Apple comes closer to meeting vice criteria based on the Foxconn worker treatment allegations, more than from producing so-called ‘addictive’ products.”
What do you think?
