THE BIG PICTURE: Even as Google Inc.'s Android and a host of other tech companies make inroads, Apple Inc. remains the king of the mountain with the iPhone and the iPad attaining a massive cult following. And that is with the much-maligned AT&T, the sole carrier for the iPhone, raising the ire of users. That exclusivity ends Thursday.
THE ANALYSIS: Walkley's analysis of iPhone 4 sales suggests to him that the company is already enjoying strong sales through Verizon's. Verizon allowed existing customers to preorder the iPhone last week, and will begin selling it to the general public on Thursday.
Verizon sold more iPhones over a two-hour period last week than it had during any previous day of a phone launch, according to the company, though it did not release exact figures
Walkley boosted his iPhone sales estimate, saying he expects Apple to sell 74.8 million worldwide in 2011. Previously, he forecast sales of 72.9 million iPhones.
He also lifted his forecast for iPad sales, saying Apple will sell 34 million in 2011, up from a previous estimate of 30.3 million. He believes an onslaught of tablets running the latest version of Google Inc.'s Android software, dubbed Honeycomb, will not slow the iPad's momentum.
"Our checks also indicated strong sell-through trends for iPad, and we believe the iPad will sell well in 2011 despite increased competition from Android tablets such as the Xoom and other Honeycomb tablets from Samsung, LG, and others," he wrote.
Walkley also raised his earnings estimates. He predicts the company will earn $22.92 per share in 2011, compared with a previous estimate of $21.84 per share. For 2012, he expects the company to earn $25.60 per share, compared with an earlier estimate of $24 per share. |
