The Stock Spotlight:  Apple Inc.

 By Marc Feala

This edition of The Stock Spotlight will feature Apple Inc.  Apple is a newsworthy stock based on the attention the stock is gaining from the new line of iPods and increasing popularity of the company’s personal computers, popularly known as Macs.  Apple Inc. markets and manufactures consumer electronics and software through Mac desktop and laptop computers, the iPod line of MP3 players, and retail outlets iTunes and The Apple Store.  Apple employs 17,787 people and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

The company introduced its new iPhone to much fanfare, but vital to the company’s success this holiday season will be the new line of iPod, iPod Nano, and iShuffles the company introduced recently. Says Doug Kass, a contributor to TheStreet.com, “Currently, the stock is being driven by other products -- namely iPods and more importantly, Macs. The company is gaining considerable market share in these products”.  The company reported earnings on October 22, 2007, what can be gained from an analysis of it?

Close Oct 26	184.7	Dividend & Yield	N/A (N/A)
52wk Range	76.77 - 188.60	Earnings per share	3.93
Market Cap	$ 162 Billion	Avg Volume	39,217,000

Apple Inc released its 4^th quarter results October 22, and it was a homerun for the company.  The common expectation by the analysts was 86 cents a share in earnings, but Apple reported $ 1.01, a very large number.  Consequently the stock price rose about 7 % the day after earnings were reported.  Also important, Apple expects this December could be the best one in recent memory and Apple is very conservative in forecasting future growth.  Apple was trading at 187.16 in late day trading October 23.