All Eyes on Apple Inc: Earnings for Monday (Update)

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is set to report earnings Monday (Oct 19th) and with already 30 million iPhones sold investors are hoping the company can keep growing its arsenal of incredible products and expand its reach even more in the smart phone and PC sales, hello $200 a share?

Monday (Oct 19th) America’s leader in the mobile phone market (not to mention its stake in computers and a little gadget called “iPod”) is expected to report earnings. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will announce Q3 earnings on after the market close Monday (10/19).  This past week Apple Inc. shareholders jumped for joy as AAPL hit $192.32, a new 52-week high and at this rate if things go well next Monday, we could see $200 easy. However with the selloff on Thursday and Friday, AAPL shares came down and closed the week at $188.05, down 1.27% for the week.  It seems investors are hoping, if not expecting, a positive earnings call that will allow this stock to continue the strong advance it has blazed since March of this year.

Shares of Apple have been on a tear the last several months, trading up some +120% since March lows. The recent strength in the stock price would lend one to believe that the earnings call will be in line with expectations or maybe even provide a positive surprise.

Analysts are projecting that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will post a third-quarter gain of $1.42 a share, which is up 15 cents 90 days ago. In the year-ago quarter, Apple surprised earning $1.26 per share on revenue of close to $8 billion, versus the analyst projection of $1.11 per share at that time. The analysts’ current consensus recommendation on the stock is that of a buy to strong buy.

It appears that the stock has indeed bottomed after the March meltdown of the broad market. Apple is an unbelievably strong company and will be around for many years to come. They offer innovative products that the masses want and often pay dearly for. Apple would likely be a good buy on any weakness that drags it down near the $180 level, so if earnings disappoint a bit it might be a good time to pounce on some shares after the market reacts. Although, given the recent track record for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), you might be waiting a while before this stock trades down again.

Disclosure: No positions in AAPL.