Apple wanted out of tyranny of MacWorld - reports
Apple's decision to end its participation at the annual Macworld Expo after next month's show is a sign the company wants to free itself from making product announcements on someone else's schedule and not an indication that its chief executive is in poor health, according to new reports.
The announcement Tuesday is similar to a move by which the Mac maker pulled out of the east coast Macworld conference several years ago following a disagreement with show organizer IDG, which sets the dates and locations for the events.
"This change is bound to once again raise questions about Jobs health," Needham & Co. analyst Charles Wolf told clients in a report on the matter. "Our reliable sources, which we spoke with this fall, indicated that Jobs is cancer free."
Instead, the analyst equated the move to an extension of a recent strategy that has seen the Cupertino-based company more frequently introduce new products at its own events, like the two held this fall that gave way to new iPods and Mac notebooks.
"I think Apple wants to get away from the tyranny of MacWorld where it is forced to introduce new products on IDG?s schedule, rather than its own," he said.
Keith Bachman, an analyst with BMO capital, had similar thoughts on the matter. In a note to his own clients, he said he believes Jobs will remain Apple's chief executive at least through the 2009 calendar year.
Instead, the analyst sees the charismatic chief's absence from this year's conference as a sign that the company has nothing special to announce and therefore has decided to scale back expectations ahead of time.
"We believe that not having Mr. Jobs lead the 2009 MacWorld does suggest [...] that this event will not be terribly meaningful," he said. "Hence, the downside in the stock for a disappointing MacWorld is probably realized near-term rather than at MacWorld."
Shares of Apple were trading down $7.09 (or more than 7%) to $88.34 in late morning trading.
The announcement Tuesday is similar to a move by which the Mac maker pulled out of the east coast Macworld conference several years ago following a disagreement with show organizer IDG, which sets the dates and locations for the events.
"This change is bound to once again raise questions about Jobs health," Needham & Co. analyst Charles Wolf told clients in a report on the matter. "Our reliable sources, which we spoke with this fall, indicated that Jobs is cancer free."
Instead, the analyst equated the move to an extension of a recent strategy that has seen the Cupertino-based company more frequently introduce new products at its own events, like the two held this fall that gave way to new iPods and Mac notebooks.
"I think Apple wants to get away from the tyranny of MacWorld where it is forced to introduce new products on IDG?s schedule, rather than its own," he said.
Keith Bachman, an analyst with BMO capital, had similar thoughts on the matter. In a note to his own clients, he said he believes Jobs will remain Apple's chief executive at least through the 2009 calendar year.
Instead, the analyst sees the charismatic chief's absence from this year's conference as a sign that the company has nothing special to announce and therefore has decided to scale back expectations ahead of time.
"We believe that not having Mr. Jobs lead the 2009 MacWorld does suggest [...] that this event will not be terribly meaningful," he said. "Hence, the downside in the stock for a disappointing MacWorld is probably realized near-term rather than at MacWorld."
Shares of Apple were trading down $7.09 (or more than 7%) to $88.34 in late morning trading.
Comments
Skip
Why wouldnt SJ get in front of a camera to explain this.
Thus, removing any specualtions on his health.
Man I love SJ.....He is the best.
DM
I think Steve Jobs is too closely knit to the brand of Apple (hence the drop in stock after the announcement). Steve won't be around forever so it's good to make the break and show off Apple for Apple's sake.
What a freakingly nightmarish and utter and absolutely devastating turn of events.
Its the beginning of the end.
What a freakingly nightmarish and utter and absolutely devastating turn of events.
/sarcasm
Shares of Apple were trading down $7.09 (or more than 7%) to $88.34 in late morning trading.
Misleading. Right now the whole market is down; even the car (foreign) manufacturers, unless you are getting a bail out like Ford and GM whose stock is up right now. (12/17/08:11:59 AM)
Something smells bad.
Why wouldnt SJ get in front of a camera to explain this.
Thus, removing any specualtions on his health.
My guess is Jobs doesn't want to be involved in a shuck-and-jive presentation, which it will be without new products. This suggests Apple has outstanding commitments with component suppliers or is overstocked with components, because existing models are not selling well enough. Those commitments and supplies must be depleted before moving on to new models.
Misleading. Right now the whole market is down.
exactly
____________
"I think Apple wants to get away from the tyranny of MacWorld where it is forced to introduce new products on IDG?s schedule, rather than its own,"
That statement is total Bollocks! Apple uses the MWExpo to announce and to show-off upcoming technologies and to publicly express support for other companies such as Intel, Microsoft, even Bungie software. Delivery schedules have always been set before the keynotes and products are sometimes launched a year after the keynote.
The SF MWExpo is a Mac geek's God sent event, where one can indulge himself in everything Mac for a change. It will be a disappointment to see it go.
Having said that, Steve Jobs has done his part and has done it damn well, he deserves to rest all he wants.
IMHO I prefer the way Sun does it - press release; reviews, online videos; if you're hard core - you'll watch them, if you're joe average, it isn't as though you'd be paying attention anyway.
People love to hate Apple. I wish Apple was a privately held company as I get tired of the investors and those here who demand this and that for a the sake of an effing dollar, euro, etc.
2009- the year apple stock goes to $3.50
Apple has over $25 per share in cash, so it is unlikely the stock will hit $3.50 per share
this year.
Going private is an interesting idea. With so much cash, no debt, and historically low
interest rates, there may never have been a better time for someone to try to take
Apple private through an LBO. I don't think it would be successful as long as SJ is
at the helm, but if he were to step down, there is nobody Apple could name to replace
him who would have the clout to make an LBO impossible. I suppose current management
could try it. Wouldn't a plausible rumor to that effect cause all the short sellers to soil
themselves?
Misleading. Right now the whole market is down; even the car (foreign) manufacturers, unless you are getting a bail out like Ford and GM whose stock is up right now. (12/17/08:11:59 AM)
Ford isn't looking for a bailout. GM and Chrysler are.
Apple has over $25 per share in cash, so it is unlikely the stock will hit $3.50 per share
this year.
Going private is an interesting idea. With so much cash, no debt, and historically low
interest rates, there may never have been a better time for someone to try to take
Apple private through an LBO. I don't think it would be successful as long as SJ is
at the helm, but if he were to step down, there is nobody Apple could name to replace
him who would have the clout to make an LBO impossible. I suppose current management
could try it. Wouldn't a plausible rumor to that effect cause all the short sellers to soil
themselves?
Private companies don't make as much money.
I always wondered why Apple would make their biggest new product announcements *right after* the biggest shopping season of the year. There is no upside at all and it guarantees ill will and disappointment from customers who just bought the product whose replacement was announced at MWSF.
seriously?
why do people HAVE to slavishly buy so much stuff for one single day/event? xmas.
I guess Macworld is.. the same?
Free yourself from the Tyranny of xmas!
Ford isn't looking for a bailout. GM and Chrysler are.
Ford has asked to be part of the bailout package. Chrysler is a private company and is not a publicly listed company.
"(Ford) CEO (Alan Mulally) says bailout would allow Ford to "be part of this economic recovery" http://alan%20mulally/