New iMacs to shift investor focus back to Apple's Mac story
A pair of new iMacs expected to be released by Apple Inc. on Tuesday should shift investor focus away from the early stages of iPhone sales and back onto the more significant story of the Mac market share growth, according to investment research firm Piper Jaffray.
"We believe Apple will introduce redesigned iMacs at a press event tomorrow," analyst Gene Munster wrote in a research note to clients on Monday morning. "Since early this summer when AppleInsider first issued the story, we have been anticipating an iMac update with a radically new form-factor."
Should the new iMacs arrive as anticipated, Munster believes they could drive upside to his September quarter Mac shipment estimate of 1.9 million systems. He told investors that Apple appears to be on a path of replicating its iPod strategy within its Mac business.
"For the past two years Apple has announced new iPod models in September, ahead of the holiday shopping season; this year Apple is announcing upgraded Macs ahead of the education buying season," the analyst wrote. "And similar to the successful holiday quarters in 2005 and 2006, we expect Mac sales in the 2007 education season to be strong."
Munster also told clients that believes the new iMacs will shift investor focus away from the early stages of iPhone sales and back onto the more significant story of Mac market share growth. He noted that during the last calendar quarter, Apple's worldwide Mac market share rose to a historical high of 3.0 percent, up from 2.6 percent in March and 2.5 percent in December.
In his note to clients, the Piper Jaffray analyst said he does not have any hard evidence of other products Apple may introduce at its event on Tuesday. However, some "unlikely" possibilities could include a new version of the company's iLife digital media suite, new monitors with built-in iSight cameras, or upgraded MacBooks.
"A 13-inch MacBook Pro model featuring an ultra-portable, lightweight enclosure is also a possibility," he wrote.
Munster maintains an Outperform rating and $211 price target on shares of the Cupertino-based Mac maker.
"We believe Apple will introduce redesigned iMacs at a press event tomorrow," analyst Gene Munster wrote in a research note to clients on Monday morning. "Since early this summer when AppleInsider first issued the story, we have been anticipating an iMac update with a radically new form-factor."
Should the new iMacs arrive as anticipated, Munster believes they could drive upside to his September quarter Mac shipment estimate of 1.9 million systems. He told investors that Apple appears to be on a path of replicating its iPod strategy within its Mac business.
"For the past two years Apple has announced new iPod models in September, ahead of the holiday shopping season; this year Apple is announcing upgraded Macs ahead of the education buying season," the analyst wrote. "And similar to the successful holiday quarters in 2005 and 2006, we expect Mac sales in the 2007 education season to be strong."
Munster also told clients that believes the new iMacs will shift investor focus away from the early stages of iPhone sales and back onto the more significant story of Mac market share growth. He noted that during the last calendar quarter, Apple's worldwide Mac market share rose to a historical high of 3.0 percent, up from 2.6 percent in March and 2.5 percent in December.
In his note to clients, the Piper Jaffray analyst said he does not have any hard evidence of other products Apple may introduce at its event on Tuesday. However, some "unlikely" possibilities could include a new version of the company's iLife digital media suite, new monitors with built-in iSight cameras, or upgraded MacBooks.
"A 13-inch MacBook Pro model featuring an ultra-portable, lightweight enclosure is also a possibility," he wrote.
Munster maintains an Outperform rating and $211 price target on shares of the Cupertino-based Mac maker.
Comments
curious to know what they'll look like so i can enter covet mode
Isn't it tomorrow yet?
first
curious to know what they'll look like so i can enter covet mode
Ah covet mode. What's the command line for that again? I think I'd like to enter covet mode tomorrow too.
I don't know if I would personally base my financial decisions through Munster's reading-of-this-site, but then again it is AppleInsider. I guess that means I really should spend my money based on rumors!!
-=|Mgkwho
Will the "i" in Mac be dropped to bring the desktop machines in line with their portable counterparts?
"In line" in what sense? Each member of the Mac product family has "Mac" in their title. I'd say it's already pretty much in line.
I for one will be first in line for a new iMac for the wife.... The 17" G5 is looking long in the tooth **and** can easielly be handed down to her dad who is using a Purple iMac DV? G3! I kid you not... the hardest thing I'll have to deal with is breaking him from his Doom v1.0 habit... since I'd rather not install OS 9 if I can help it.
Any tips on a good replacement for Doom v1.0 for a man thats 82 years young?!? (OS X game that is)
Dave
Maybe I'm not reading this right, but he thinks the Apple stock is going to hit $211? When would this be since its gone down something close to 15 points in the last few days.
The drops in the stock are artificial, created by patently false investor analyst FUD. There are few guarantees in life, but Apple breaking $200 is as close as it gets.
Anyone...anyone...Bueller?
Seriously, rumor sites obviously need to recruit some new sources.
Forget pics, we don't even have specs on new Macs, the day before they are due to be released!
the hardest thing I'll have to deal with is breaking him from his Doom v1.0 habit... since I'd rather not install OS 9 if I can help it.
Dave
Well.....it ain't like he *has to* get rid to the G3 too...
The drops in the stock are artificial, created by patently false investor analyst FUD. There are few guarantees in life, but Apple breaking $200 is as close as it gets.
I think there has been enough positive false investor analyst FUD as there has been negative. When do you think Apple is going to hit that? Its gone up by 45 dollars in the last few months, then gone down by about 12 lately. It isn't a very stable stock right now.
I've been holding out on buying a new iMac for quite a while now and even if they are substantially improved, I will still wait until Leopard is released before pulling out my credit card.
Isn't it tomorrow yet?
I'm right there with you sir. It sucks...a lot! They need to release Leopard!!
I think there has been enough positive false investor analyst FUD as there has been negative. When do you think Apple is going to hit that? Its gone up by 45 dollars in the last few months, then gone down by about 12 lately. It isn't a very stable stock right now.
Apple is not like other stocks because Apple is not like other companies in the sector. If you don't 'know' Apple then I suggest you stay away because you will need nerves of steel. If you 'get' Apple however then its probably been the most solid investment of the past five years... and the next five years. If you are basing buying decisions on the history of a few months you really shouldn't be in the game.
http://oriesko.rajce.idnes.cz/temp/images/iMac_2007.jpg