Tablet launch, earnings mean big week for Apple

Apple Inc Chief Executive Steve Jobs takes the stage at a special event in San Francisco, California September 9, 2009.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Few events can steal the thunder from an Apple Inc quarterly earnings day -- an Apple product launch is one of them.

The company releases quarterly results on Monday, but Wall Street is waiting for Wednesday, when Apple could unveil a new tablet computer that investors hope will be as huge a phenomenon as its iconic iPod and iPhone.

The week could provide a pair of long-term catalysts for Apple's stock. But the company's shares often sell off right after major launches after months of rumor fuel big expectations.

Little is known about the device, despite a rabid fan following speculating on everything from the component makers to its shape and form. Industry watchers are bullish. They say Apple's obsession to detail gives the so-called "iSlate" a big edge in a computer category that had been deemed a failure.

"If Apple is going to design a product, then it's going to be the best design in the marketplace," said Broadpoint Amtech analyst Brian Marshall. "To bet that it's going to be a flop is a bad bet."

Most analysts have not factored the tablet into estimates for fiscal 2010, but sell-siders have been busy lifting price targets on Apple's stock in the past month.

To be sure, Apple is setting itself quite a task, one that has frustrated previous attempts: to sell consumers on the value of a device that sits somewhere between a full-sized laptop and a pocket cellphone.

The device is hyped as a do-everything, go-everywhere touchscreen media gadget that bridges the gap between smartphones, laptops and electronic readers. Magazine, book and newspaper publishers are reportedly talking with Apple about providing material.

"There's a huge potential long-term story there for Apple," said Atlantic Equities analyst James Cordwell. "Whether they get it right the first time, we'll have to wait and see, but they have a pretty good track record."

IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT

Wall Street will pay particular attention to the tablet's price tag. If it is closer to $1,000 than $600, analysts say it will be tougher to convince consumers to buy.

Apple could offer it under carrier-subsidized plans -- Verizon Wireless is frequently mentioned -- which might help take the bite out of the purchase price.

Analysts believe Apple will sell 2 million to 5 million tablets in the first year.

The device could add $1 per share to Apple's non-GAAP earnings in the year, and generate $2.8 billion to $3.5 billion of revenue, with a $700 average selling price, said Cross research analyst Shannon Cross.

Its Monday earnings run-down will serve as a warm-up for the tablet launch. Strong iPhone sales and continued momentum from its Mac computers should fuel the results.

Given Apple's recent tradition of shredding Wall Street's estimates, investors will expect nothing less than a strong beat when it reports fiscal first-quarter results. The company is trading at around 27 times forward earnings.

Apple has bested Wall Street EPS targets by at least 15 percent in the past four quarters, and analyst sentiment on the company is trending upward, according to data compiled by Thomson Reuters StarMine.

According to StarMine's SmartEstimate, which places more weight on recent forecasts by top-rated analysts, Apple should post EPS of $2.11 a share on revenue of $12.16 billion

"It really boils down to one point, is their beat big enough?" said Jessup & Lamont analyst Kevin Dede. "If you're long, just ride this one out, but if you're a hedge fund, maybe you want to think twice."

Apple's shares have risen around 9 percent since mid-December when hype about the tablet quickened, and are trading a few dollars shy of an all-time high. It is now the fourth largest stock on the S&P500 index, outranking the likes of IBM and JPMorgan Chase.

Some investors will be reluctant to sell shares ahead of the tablet unveiling two days later, Dede said.

Apple is expected to report earnings of $2.06 a share on revenue of $12.05 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, with a gross margin of 35.7 percent.

Marshall, whose estimates are well above consensus, expects Apple to deliver a strong upside surprise.

"The beat is going to be significant enough that we'll have a material earnings revisions for calendar year 2010," Marshall said.

The iPhone should provide a boost for Apple in the holiday quarter, particularly internationally, he said. Marshal predicted that iPhone units sold will surpass the 9 million average estimate.

Analysts target Mac shipments of around 3 million for the quarter. Mac shipments in the United States jumped 31 percent in the quarter, according to research group IDC.

(Reporting by Gabriel Madway. Editing by Edwin Chan and Robert MacMillan)