Anything Apple does these days always disappoint analysts. Well, most analysts are overpaid for what they do anyway.<p>Financial Analysts has been underestimating Apple since 2004. This time they're pumping up the expectations.<p>Overall it is still a spectacular Quarter for Apple.
I am curious if the expectations had taken into account the slipped release. There is probably no doubt the slipped release hurt them, but typically, the new iPhone comes out June/July and probably fuels a large portion of their Q4. With the 4S just coming out, it will fuel their Q1 instead.<p>Additionally, if they did try to account for the late release, they probably had more people than expected holding off for the new phone. That could prove beneficial in Q1. Most of the articles call out that the dip in expectations will likely be short lived, pointing to the sales in the first days of the release.
The price seems to be dropping. $422.24 at close today and $393.74 after hours (@3pm pacific 10/18/2011)...<p><a href="http://www.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:AAPL" rel="nofollow">http://www.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:AAPL</a>
Gross margin was down 1.5% over last quarter. Anyone want to guess what lower margin products they sold more of?<p>I'd guess Macbook Airs, but there are certainly other contenders.