Apple Inc (AAPL)

[Bootz]

AAPL: FYQ2 Upside Even Before New iPad, Says ITG

By Tiernan Ray

Analyst Tony Berkman with boutique research house ITG Investment Research this afternoon offers up the view that Apple (AAPL) is on track to beat the consensus $35.15 billion for the fiscal Q2 that ends this month, likely turning in $37.3 billion, with some benefit coming from sales of the iPhone starting with China Telecom (CHL) tomorrow, without counting any sales from the new iPad, unveiled yesterday.

Apple may ship 31.3 million iPhones this quarter, with 1.2 million of that inventory filling, writes Berkman, and he sees particular strength in China, as “as China Unicom (CHU) has benefited tremendously from the launch of the 4S.” China Unicom has been the sole licensed carrier for the iPhone prior to Telecom starting to sell the device.

For the iPad, Berkman is modeling 10.2 million units, but he expects “considerable upside” to that number when including units sold for the new model, which comes to retail on March 16th.

Berkman thinks Apple may sell 4.35 million Macs this quarter, a 15.7% rise, with improving trends in Europe and other foreign markets.

Apple shares today rose $11.30, or 2%, to $541.99.

http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2012/03/08/aapl-fyq2-upside-even-before-new-ipad-says-itg/?mod=BOLBlog