INSTANT VIEW: Apple CEO Jobs to take medical leave

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Apple Inc Chief Executive Steve Jobs said on Wednesday that he had discovered that his health-related issues were more complex than he had originally thought and that he had decided to take a medical leave of absence.

Jobs, who earlier this month said his recent weight loss had been caused by a hormonal imbalance that was relatively simple to treat, said he had asked Tim Cook, currently the company's chief operating officer, to be responsible for the company's day-to-day operations while he is on leave.

The following is reaction from industry analysts and investors:

BRIAN MARSHALL, ANALYST WITH BROADPOINT.AMTECH IN SAN FRANCISCO

"This is obviously very sad news but I do think it's the right thing to do. The next six months are going to be basically a trial period for Tim Cook to be CEO. And if that period goes well, my expectation is that Steve will pass the baton over to Tim in June and basically Steve will be his senior adviser."

"I think he will step down as CEO when this is over and I believe he will be a senior adviser going forward."

"Jonathan Ive, who is the head of product development, along with his team, in conjunction with Steve, are a very able team and will be able to continue to put out innovative products and identify the proper strategic directions that they need to go to.

"The stock will be volatile, but I think we're approaching bottom from a valuation perspective. So pretty soon we can start to get constructive."

TED PARRISH, PORTFOLIO MANAGER AT THE HENSSLER EQUITY FUND IN KENNESAW, GEORGIA, WHICH OWNS APPLE STOCK

"You can't really dismiss the idea that if he (Steve Jobs) would be gone from the company it would be a great loss, but there are a lot of innovative minds at Apple."

"The company is in a great position, its product cycle is strong and we would buy Apple (shares) on weakness associated with this news."

KIM CAUGHEY, SENIOR ANALYST, FORT PITT CAPITAL GROUP IN PITTSBURGH, WHICH MANAGES ABOUT $800 MILLION AND DOES NOT HOLD APPLE SHARES

"This was to be expected. For him to have disclosed that he had even a hormonal imbalance indicates that he was seeking treatment for something."

"Steve Jobs -- for better or worse -- is Apple at this point. Whether or not there are people who could take his role, whether several people combined could take his role, at this point that is unknown. Investors do not like the unknown."

TIM GHRISKEY, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, SOLARIS ASSET MANAGEMENT IN NEW YORK, WHICH HOLDS APPLE SHARES AMONG THE $2 BILLION IT MANAGES

"You don't knows how bad this is. Who knows except his doctors and him at this point."