Apple Inc (AAPL)

[Bootz]

Ron, what can we expect for earnings, given that the numbers have already been announced?

I suppose we could hear something like:

1) Sales of the new Intel iMacs have exceeded our expectations.

2) Pre orders of the new MacBook Pro have exceeded our expectations.

Or not, whatever. Maybe some name drops about new video content for iTunes.

But what else that might dramatically bump or depress?

I do think that shareholders ought to start taking the Apple Corps lawsuit a little more seriously than they have to date here.

Not because of the ultimate outcome -- obviously if our Apple loses they'll appeal -- but of the effect an original negative ruling might have on the share price.

Can you imagine waking up some morning in late March to the headline:

"British Judge Says Apple Must Divest iPod Division"

Wouldn't matter how the suit would ultimately play out; the market would simply interpret it as a devastating blow to Apple's music business -- which is widely perceived as the company's growth driver.

To say there would be a catastrophic drop in AAPL share price would be an understatement.

Conversely, a headline to the effect that "British Judge Dismisses Beatles' Suit" would probably signal a buying frenzy.

I have no idea which of these two scenarios will play out.

All I can say is:

Beware the Ides of March!

Or actually the second half of March.

And yes, the iMac G5 I'm typing this on is indeed a wonderful machine. Both of 'em.