Apple Earnings OK, Guidance Poor, New Controversy

Apple reported largely inline December quarter results. Revenues of $54.5 billion were barely shy of consensus and EPS of $13.81 were barely above consensus. Gross margins exceeded guidance and were close to the most optimistic street estimates. Product sales were about as expected except for Macs, which missed by lot. Guidance was below the street […]

Mixed Bag of Apples

Apple reported decent September quarter results against low expectations following lots of worry about demand trends and recent data that revealed iPad sales would be below expectations. Revenues of $36 billion were up 12% year over year and in line with consensus forecasts. EPS of $8.67 rose 23% vs. a year ago but slightly missed […]

Apple Misses and Guides Lower

In an extremely unusual development, Apple reported revenues and earnings well below the Street’s estimates. More normally, the company guided earnings for the September quarter below estimates. However, the gap to analyst estimates was unusually large, effectively making this quarter and a “miss and lower.” In response Apple shares are trading down 5%. Given the […]

Another Apple Blowout

Apple reported another quarter of stunning results. Not quite as good as the December quarter but still something to behold. Revenues of $39.2 billion exceeded consensus by about $5 billion. EPS of $12.30 compared to a consensus estimate of $10.04. These results also exceeded the “whisper” numbers which were 10-15% above consensus. Apple’s great numbers […]

Another Blowout from Apple Supports Mobile Broadband Theme

Apple continues to amaze. Relative to expectations this is one of the best quarters I ever remember by any company. Damn, I am pretty certain I wrote that about Apple previously! In calendar 2011, Apple earned $35 a share. Guidance for the March quarter is up 32% and is probably conservative. The company could earn […]

Less Shiny Apple Near-Term, Long-Term Still Golden Delicious

Yesterday, I wrote in a preview of Apple’s earnings for Wall Street All-Stars and Minyanville that the company needed to report over $8.25 in earnings with good guidance for the stock to respond positively in the very short-term. Consensus EPS was for $7.30. Honestly, I never even considered the possibility that the company would miss […]

Another Apple Blowout as Emerging Markets Lead

Apple reported another blowout quarter. While that is never surprising, there was some reason to be concerned going into the quarter. Supply constraints have left uncertainty about the true level of iPad demand. Verizon iPhone sales have been good but not great. Pending product transitions including the new Lion operating system and iPhone5 could have […]

Apple Continues to Amaze

I again tweeted comments as Apple held their earnings call. As a reminder, I find that my instant reaction is most valuable as I subsequently read through analyst reports. It was another great quarter with iPhones and Mac laptops leading the way. iPads were supply constrained but management seems quite confident they are getting a […]

Apple Reports “Beat and Raise” in an Unusual Occurence

Following the disclosure that Steve Jobs would take a medical leave of absence, Apple reported another in a string of incredibly strong quarterly earnings reports. The reported numbers easily beat expectations. Revenue upside came mostly from higher than expected selling prices with unit volumes in line with the high end of expectations. iPad volumes were […]

Good Thoughts on Jobs and Apple

Walter Piecyk, an analyst I know at BTIG, wrote the following brief comment on Apple and published it this morning. The volume of Wall Street commentary on Apple this morning is enormous as expected. Walter’s note best captures my thinking so I reproduce it here with the hope that Walter and BTIG don’t mind. “The […]