Piper Jaffray: 14-15m iPods in Q4 2006

Analyst firm Piper Jaffray estimates that Apple will sell between 14 and 15 million iPods in the December quarter, according to a research note provided by senior research analyst Gene Munster. While the data is preliminary and extrapolated from October sales statistics collected by NPD, the results point to a new, positive trend in Apple's ability to beat sales estimates through early predictions, as Piper Jaffray itself predicts 14.7 million iPods sold during the holiday period. "This is the first quarter in 3 quarters that the first month of iPod NPD data has suggested a number at or above our estimate," the research note says. Piper Jaffray is also quick to add that its results do not include sales of the new iPod shuffle, which only began shipping November 3rd. The basic music player is prepared to have a "material impact" on the total number of iPods sold. "Our current expectations for the quarter could prove to be low," Munster added.

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