Merrill Analyst Sees China Unicom (CHU), Apple (AAPL) Signing Exclusive iPhone Deal

A Merrill Lynch analyst put out a research note this morning highlighting recent rumors that China Unicom (NYSE: CHU) may be near a deal to become the exclusive provider of Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhones in China for at least the next two years. The analyst cited industry checks who have indicated that if a deal was signed, iPhone products could be expected out by Q4, at which time Unicom will launch is commercial scale 3G iPhone.

Both companies involved are trading higher this morning: shares of China Unicom are up 1.3% to $13.90, while Apple shares are up 1.9% to $138.39.

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