Piper Q109 preview

Apple should do fairly well in its fiscal first quarter results, set to be announced on Wednesday, says Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. While Apple -- like other companies -- has been hit by the ongoing global recession, Munster argues that the company will announce iPod shipments between 19 and 20 million. The figures are based on tracking by the NPD Group, and if accurate will substantially beat Street expectations of just 18.6 million.

Mac shipments are expected to be merely on par or slightly above Street expectations however, around 2.5 to 2.6 million, versus the Street's strict 2.5 million. A wildcard for investors may be iPhone shipments, as while Munster notes that he has held to 6.4 million units, it is unknown how much influence international carriers or the Walmart expansion may have. Shipments may be swayed most by economic problems in the US, where core iPhone sales reside.

Munster is calling for $10 billion in revenue, greater than the Street's $9.7 billion; EPS, though, is expected to be just $1.32, instead of the Street's $1.39. Apple's guidance for the March quarter is predicted to be $7.6 billion in revenue with a $0.90 EPS, 7 percent and 20 percent below consensus, respectively.

by MacNN Staff