Apple (AAPL) Gains on Positive Analyst Comments and Imminent Icahn Update

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is solidly stronger early Thursday (+1.75%) on two items: 1. Investors await a new in-depth report from Carl Icahn, as he promised; 2. UBS analyst Steven Milunovich boosted his iPhone estimates sharply above the Street.

Icahn:

More than 14 days ago, Carl Icahn said he "expect to put out another in-depth report within two weeks." The report could come at any time. It is expected that Icahn will raise his $216 price target and may address the company's current buyback plan. He will also most likely address the ongoing discount multiple the stock trades at. Some speculation even suggests Icahn could call for a spin-off of some Apple assets.

Milunovich:

The analyst predicts 51mn iPhone units for F3Q. "The UBS Evidence Lab iPhone Monitor initially pegs June quarter iPhone demand at 51.1mn units, above the Street consensus estimate of about 45mn," he said. "The Monitor tracks consumer demand (sell-through) while Apple reports sell-in. Consequently, we adjust for supply issues and channel inventory changes that would create a difference between the reported figure and the Monitor’s reflection of demand. We are raising our sell-in estimate from 43mn to 48mn units for the June quarter, resulting in a 1.4% increase to our F15 EPS estimate from $9.04 to $9.17." The analyst noted a continued surge from China.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Apple click here. For more ratings news on Apple click here.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Maxim Group Starts Apple (AAPL) at Hold, 'Dead Money'
• Netflix's subscribers, TSMC, Tesla upside - what's moving markets
• Citi Out Defending Micron Technology (MU): 'We would buy the stock on any weakness'