- Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters estimate Apple will earn $1.16 a share on $8.16 billion in sales when the company reports third-quarter results after Tuesday’s closing bell. During the same period a year ago, Apple earned $1.19 a share on revenue of $7.4 billion. Apple has forecast a profit between 95 cents and $1 a share on revenue in a range of $7.7 billion to $7.9 billion.
- This quarter is typically the slowest business period for Apple as it falls before the back-to-school rush and misses holiday sales. However, we already know that iPhone 3GS sales are strong and Apple’s new Macbook Pro lineup is flying off shelves (the new 13″ is an AMZN bestseller, rare for such a pricey item). Price cuts on the iPhone 3G and new school discounts will help sales volume and revenues as well.
- As far as Apple goes, I trust RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky who also believes Apple will report steady sales of its Mac computer lines, with total shipments of 2.2 million units. Abramsky said Mac momentum likely improved toward the end of the quarter due to new MacBook Pro laptops and back-to-school promotions.
Update:
The quarterly numbers are in for Apple, and they‘re great. They set another non-holiday record quarter in terms of revenues and earnings. The highlight: iPhone sales topped 5.2 million, a 626 percent year over year growth, inching it closer to being Apple’s primary business (iPhone sales nearl doubled Macs sold).