Analysts: Goals beaten

Analysts with the firm American Technology Research are continuing to recommend buys on Apple stock, in light of the performance of two key hardware lines. Mac sales, which account for 47 percent of Apple's revenue, are currently being bolstered not only by students headed back to school, but by a constant flow of switchers from the Windows platform. The MacBook Pro is said to be selling particularly well, as is the new aluminum iMac, in both its low- and high-end models. As a result, AmTech expects its "already bullish" forecast of 1.95 million Macs to be surpassed.

The group also argues that iPhone sales are indeed strong, contrary to some criticisms, and is predicting sales of 770,000 phones versus Apple's own estimates of 730,000. The outlook may be even more optimistic, says AmTech, due to recent media reports, suggesting that Apple has already signed contracts with Orange, O2 and T-Mobile for carrying the iPhone in Europe. When this is considered alongside Mac profits, AmTech predicts a share value of $185 within six to 12 months, and thus suggests buying Apple stock on pull-backs.

by MacNN Staff