Apple’s market capitalization now totals $337.17 billion.  Exxon Mobile’s market cap sits at $330.77 billion.  Looking at these two numbers tells us that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is now the world’s most valuable company.  This is the first time in history that Apple has achieved this level of value in market capitalization.

Apple achieved this mark briefly on Tuesday around noon, surpassing Exxon Mobile during the middle of the trading day.  However, Apple shares pulled back and their market cap dropped back below Exxon (NYSE:XOM).  But it didn’t take long on Wednesday for the changing tide to take hold once again and put Apple back on top where it stayed throughout the day and into the closing.

Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices have been a catapult to the market valuation of the company.  It was too long ago that Apple was a struggling firm, and investors were contemplating removing Steve Jobs from the top post as they had done before.

However, with iPhone, and then the iPad, Apple has become a study how product development, marketing, and business savvy can elevate a company to success.

And there’s no end in sight for the heights that Apple can climb.  The new, and perhaps the most successful, Apple iPhone 5 is set to be released this fall along with a new iteration of the iPad, perhaps the iPad 3 or iPad HD.  These new device releases will once again show the world who is truly king in the smartphone and tablet space.

Heck, what am I talking about… Apple invented the tablet space!

When Apple rose to a high of $369.89 per share it had a $342.8 billion market share, and when Exxon fell to $68.78 per share it had a $334.41 billion market share.  This gave Apple (AAPL) the crown as the richest stock in the world.

However, things didn’t stay like this for long.  Apple closed with a market cap of $346.74B and Exxon closed with a 348.32B.  But as you can see, the spread is not too far apart and with slight movement either way, Apple could easily take the crown once again.

And with the price of oil closing down 2.47% today, Exxon’s stock could have more drag on it in tomorrow’s trading.  We’ll just have to wait and see if Apple can actually work it’s way into the world’s richest stock.

via HuffPost

Apple has a huge week, and their stock (NASDAQ:AAPL) ended up closing over 7% for the week ending July 22nd.   On Wednesday, Apple announced a record breaking quarter.  During the earnings call, shares on Apple stock were halted temporarily.  But the stock opened up again for trading, it popped instantly over 400.  This was the first time in the history of the company that Apple share prices exceeded $400 per share.  But then, quickly thereafter, the stock price came back down to earth.  Apple’s stock price ended the week at 393.30, up 28.38 (7.78%).

Apple’s shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) broke $400 this morning for the first time ever, releasing investors into a frenzy on Wall Street.

Apple’s earnings were released today and once again, the Cuppertino company has Wall Street in a frenzy over the likes of the iPhone and iPad domination.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs said today, “we’re thrilled to deliver our best quarter ever, with revenue up 82 percent and profits up 125 percent.” Continuing with “right now, we’re very focused and excited about bringing iOS 5 and iCloud to our users this fall.“

Apple earned $7.31 billion in net profit on revenue of $28.57 billion for the June quarter – both of which are records for Apple.

Trading for Apple shares was halted during the earning call today.  But then, once trading resumed on Wall Street for the almighty AAPL, the stock price surged 8% and blasted into the $400 range for the first time in the history of the company.

Trading for Apple shares has since come back down to earth with the stock trading currently at 388.68, +11.83 (3.14%).

via Google Finance

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Closed At All Time High on Friday at 364.92 on news of a whole lineup of new products in the pipeline.

Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) closed on Friday at all time high at $364.92, which was up $7.15 on the day’s trading.

It’s going to be interesting to see where Apple shares open tomorrow morning, especially with the recent news last week about a possible delay of the iPhone 5 due to the processor overheating.

Apple’s stock has been elevated mostly with rumors of a flurry of new products in the pipeline – a new iPhone 5, iPad HD, new MacBook Airs, Mac Mini’s, Mac Pro’s, and even new OS’s with OS X and iOS.

It’s impressive to say the least.  Now Apple just needs to deliver.

via MacRumors

With Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) once again establishing itself as the dominant force in the tablet market with explosive sales figures for the iPad – reportedly selling 1 million units this weekend alone in the US – shares of AAPL are up while the entire NASDAQ composite is down currently -21.44 (-0.79%) at 2,694.17. The iPad 2 went on sale on Friday at 5pm at Apple stores, AT&T and Verizon, and various other retailers, and within hours, reports were coming in that the stores were wiped out of their iPad 2 inventory. Some Best Buys reported that the iPad 2 sold out in less than 10 minutes.

via Google Finance

With the iPhone 4 problems (antenna gate and supply side issues) now taking a back seat in the media, and with the iPad expanding on the global stage, it’s no wonder that Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) have reached an all time new high at the close on Friday. Apple’s stock price closed at 314.74 +12.43 (4.11%) at the closing bell.

Some other news that may be pushing the stock price higher is the new Apple TV concept, and the next generation iPad.

What are your thoughts on why Apple stock prices have reached a new, all time high?

via Google Finance

Apple shares have been able to rise above the overall tech sector so far in the month of August.

The NASDAQ (NASDAQ:.IXIC) is currently at 2,178.95, -19.28 (-0.88%) for the month.

Apple share (NASDAQ:AAPL) are currently at 249.88, +4.3 (1.75%).

I see one definitive reason as to why Apple is staying way ahead of its competitors, and it all has to do with the iPad.

While all other competitors are preparing to launch their first iPad competitor, Apple is getting ready to launch it’s next iteration of the iPad – the 7 inch iPad.

I would call this the 3rd generation iPad actually.

We first saw the iPad Wi-Fi only version.

Then came the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G version.

And now we are about to have the iPad 7 inch tablet.

Again, it’s a good indication of why Apple is rising above the tech sector as whole.

Thoughts?

via Google Finance

Don’t look now, but Apple’s stock price (NASDAQ:AAPL) is currently up +6.31 (2.57%) on news that the tech company has posted record profits for the 3rd quarter, along with record breaking iPhone sales.

This is Apples first full quarter selling the iPad and it has posted a record profit of $3.35 billion on record revenues of $15.7 billion – this is up frm the $1.8 billion and $9.73 billion from the same time last year.

iPad has exploded onto the scene

Apple sold 3.27 million iPads, nearly matching the 3.47 million Macs sold — and Mac sales were up 33 percent from a year ago to set a new quarterly record. Yeah, damn. iPhone sales — including the first few weeks of the iPhone 4 — were up 61 percent from a year ago to 8.4 million, and the iPod continued its slow decline, down eight percent to 9.41 million units sold.

Here’s a chart of Apple’s stock price throughout today as the company announced their 3rd quarter numbers:

[source: Engadget, Google Finance]

Looking at the chart for Apple shares this past reminds me of a roller coaster that I just rode at Hershey Park in PA. Massive ups and downs – sharp declines followed be even sharper inclines. There is no doubt that Apple shares have had a tumultuous week.

Even so, Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) closed the week out down only 3.74% which is not much off the mark of the entire NASDAQ which closed down 3.11%.

Apple had a lot of criticism flying in its face this week over the iPhone 4 antenna and signal strength issues. It got so bad at one point that the Senator from New York, Chuck Schumer, chimed in with his own criticisms of how Apple and Steve Jobs were responding to the issue.

Read Chuck Schumer’s letter to Steve Jobs here.

I expect Apple shares to rebound this coming week due to a favorable press conference that Steve Jobs had today with the press. During the press conference, Mr. Jobs discussed the iPhone 4 antenna issues, admitted there were problems, and offered solutions to iPhone 4 customers. Ultimately, he let customers know that Apple is going to do everything they can to ensure that their customer base is 100% satisfied with the iPhone 4. And this message of clarity, direction, and leadership from Steve Jobs will probably allow Apple shares to shed some of the jitters it experienced this past week.

Here is what some analysts have to say right now about Apple shares:

Analysts try and prepare investors for the fallout from today’s call.

Analysts feedback via Business Insider.

NTP Corporation, which is best known for the patents it holds on wireless email technology, was most recently in the news for receiving a settlement from RIM (maker of Blackberry), in a court case claiming that Blackberry devices violated their patents.

NTP now has their sites set on a multiple other mobile phone manufacturers such as Apple Inc., Google Inc., HTC Corp., LG Electronics Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Motorola Inc.

Again, NTP Corp. is claiming that all of the mobile phone makers are in direct violation of patents that NTP owns regarding wireless email and other wireless technology.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares are holding steady as this news is breaking.

Apple shares are currently trading +1.32 (0.51%) at 259.41.

Apparently, NTP gained some confidence from the RIM settlement case and is now turning their sites on all major mobile phone makers claiming patent violations.

June has been quite a month for Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL). From the iPhone 4 pre order frenzy to the official release date of the iPhone 4, and now rumors about the Verizon iPhone coming in January 2011, June has turned out to be a headline month indeed for Apple.

However, despite the major headlines and record breaking iPhone 4 pre orders and sales, Apple’s stock price is down over 2% for the month June.

The stock market has responded favorably to the iPhone 4 release and other moves made by Apple. And now with the news that the iPhone will be coming to Verizon, Apple could quite possible double their iPhone sales.

It is interesting that even though Apple has had a banner month as far as products are concerned, their stock price is still down over 2% for the month of June.

Is it possible that anything iPhone related will impress Wall Street until the iPhone is available on other carriers besides AT&T? Or has Apple stock prices already accounted for the iPhone 4 future sales and the Verizon deal?

NASDAQ:AAPL – iPhone 4 Pre Order Pushing Apple Shares Higher

Apple shares up on the NASDAQ with the iPhone 4 pre order date coming up tomorrow.

Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) are currently trading up +4.72 (1.86%) at 258.40 as tomorrow is the day that Apple releases the iPhone 4 for pre ordering. You can pre order the iPhone 4 from several locations tomorrow as Apple is preparing itself for a massive wave of demand. Sources state that Apple plans on selling approximately 3 million iPhone 4 devices per month.

Here is a list of the places that I know of for pre ordering the iPhone 4 tomorrow:

1. The online Apple Store
2. Best Buy
3. Radio Shack
4. Wal Mart
5. And of course AT&T

Factors affecting Apple share prices:

June 24th – Official iPhone 4 release date

Some other factors that could be affecting Apple share prices right now is the June 24th release date of the iPhone 4. On June 24th, stores throughout the United States will open their doors to customers who can then purchase the iPhone 4 from the shelves.

FTC investigation launched

Apple is finding itself under investigation from the FTC for certain rule changes made in its App Store. Some of these rules Apple is implementing prohibits certain developer tools as well as blocking mobile ad networks from accessing applications.

Apparently Wall Street isn’t terribly impressed with the news about the iPhone 4 that came out today at the WWDC 2010.

Today, Steve Jobs once again took the stage to announce another revolutionary Apple product. Except this time, the product wasn’t all that revolutionary! Sure, it was an iPhone unlike any we’ve seen before, but it was still an iPhone nonetheless, just with cooler features and upgraded hardware and software.

Wall Street didn’t seem too impressed either with the iPhone 4 news because Apple share (NASDAQ:AAPL) have dropped -4.20 (-1.64%) down to 251.75 on the iPhone 4 news.

Some of the new features of the iPhone 4:

Exactly why Apple stock is down I’m not sure. Perhaps someone with more technical knowledge about stock prices and can help us out here. But the iPhone 4 looks to be a pretty sweet upgrade from the current iPhone 3GS.

iPhone 4’s primary feature, as stated by Steve Jobs himself, is the two way video chat. This video chat feature is basically video conferencing right from your iPhone. The efficiency of communication is really quite amazing, and this new feature will add amazing flexibility to the iPhone.

Unfortunately, the iPhone 4 is only being offered through AT&T at the moment.

During Steve Jobs’ keynote speech, someone in the audience yelled out “Verizon” as if to tell Apple that they really need to get away from the whole AT&T exclusivity thing.

NASDAQ

On the day that Apple releases the iPad internationally, Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) start the day out strong on the NASDAQ. As of now (10:30am EST), Apple shares are up +4.51 (1.78%), currently trading at 257.98.

When the NASDAQ opened this morning, Apple shares took an initial jump upward on the news of long lines, and crazed iPad fans waiting all night to get their hands on Apple’s “magical” iPad.

Here’s a graph showing Apple shares jumping up as the NASDAQ opened this morning:

Supplies of iPad could impact share prices

As Apple is already experiencing here in the United States, high demand and inadequate supplies of the iPad are causing potential sales targets to be missed. And by looks of some video and images being captured of iPad fans waiting to get their iPad, it doesn’t look like the international demand for the iPad device is going to be any less than it is here in the US.

Potential 4th generation iPhone announcement coming

Coming up next month, on June 7th at the WWDC2010, it is widely expected that we’ll here Steve Jobs announce the new, 4th generation iPhone during his keynote speak.

With the iPad launching internationally, and the release of the next generation iPhone, Apple shares could climb above 400 points by the end of summer.

What do you think?

Do you think we’ll see Apple shares break 400 by the end of this summer?

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Shares Continue Slide with Tech Stocks

Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) continue to lose steam today as the overall tech sector is down. Apple shares are currently off -1.64%, down about 4.13 points at 248.23 per share. The NASDAQ index is off -0.78% at 2,299.30.

Despite Apple shares being down over 1.6% today, as I wrote yesterday Apple’s stock price is up over 105% for the trailing 12 months.

Apple (AAPL) chart for today so far:

As you can see, Apple shares started off with a jump as the markets opened. But then, almost immediately, Apple shares took a dramatic nose dive and have been struggling to get back those initial gains.

Some of the concerns that are suppressing not only Apple shares but the market as a whole are the European economic struggles. Despite a massive bailout plan by the European government, the European economy shrugged off that bailout and continues in a downward spiral, dragging the US markets with it.

Apple (AAPL) Analysts Still Calling for “Outperform”

• Barclays Capital analyst Ben Reitzes is “excited” about AAPL because of the iPad. Channel checks continue to indicate very strong sales and corporations are piloting the device at a surprising pace. He believes that his estimate of 1.5 million iPad units for the June quarter will likely be conservative by about 1 million units (that’s a lot of upside). Reitzes reiterates his Overweight rating and $315 price-target.
• Toni Sacconaghi at Bernstein Research believes European currency provides a risk to revenue forecasts for hardware companies. In addition, he continues to believe that 2010 will be a strong year (relatively speaking) and that PC related names are inexpensive at current levels. Toni reiterates his Outperform rating on AAPL and price-target of $300.

[resource:  BusinessInsider.com]

Yes, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) stock prices have been a bit shaky over the past couple of week, and clearly they aren’t doing much better today (see graph):

But what about stepping back a bit and taking a broader look at Apple share prices – like say the last 12 months?

If you look at the growth of Apple stock prices over the past 12 months – since the beginning of May 2009, Apple shares are up over 105%.

That’s right – over 105%

So even though Apple shares have had a bit of a rough ride, so really has the entire market and tech sector. Sometimes not even Apple is exempt from the fluctuations in the stock market.

Apple’s Product Release Magic

If I had to take a guess, actually I think history would prove this, then I would say that Apple’s explosive stock price has everything to do with the fact that Apple knows how to create the perfect product launch.

Apple doesn’t care that the Apple fan boy club is not the majority in the computer tech and gadget world – in fact, Apple might prefer this to be the case.

Because with only a select group of fans, Apple is now able to launch just about any product it desires, and people will buy the product simply because Apple launched it!

But looking over the past year with product announcements like the iPhone 3GS and the infamous iPad, Apple stock prices are very much appreciating the aggressive launching of new products from Apple.

Charts via DailyFinance.com

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Stock Price Up Nearly 8% For The Week

Apple shares started the week out with a bang when Apple stock prices jumped nearly 7% on Tuesday morning, despite having a rough day on Monday. For the week ending today, Friday May 14th, Apple stock prices are about to end the week up nearly 8% (currently at 7.61% at the time of this writing).

Other Apple News:

PCWorld.com reports that The U.S. International Trade Commission will investigate complaints by Apple that Eastman Kodak violated its patents related to digital imaging devices and software, the latest dispute in a long-standing patent skirmish between the two companies.

Apple filed a so-called section 337 complaint against Kodak on April 15, alleging that the company had violated its patents related to digital imaging devices and associated software. In the complaint, Apple asked the USITC to bar Kodak from importing products containing the technology into the U.S.

MercuryNews.com reports that Apple CEO Steve Jobs personally asked tech website Gizmodo to return that rogue iPhone prototype, Bloomberg News is reporting today. A judge in San Mateo County today unsealed a search warrant affidavit in the case of the device, which found its way from a Redwood City bar to posts on tech-toy website Gizmodo.

There is reason why most (and I emphasize most) people agree that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)  is one of the primary leaders – if not the leader of all the companies on the NASDAQ.

I was just looking at the past month’s data in Google Finance on Apple shares versus the NASDAQ and saw that the NASDAQ was down 1.5% while Apple shares were up over 9% (again, 1 month data).

Apple vs. NASDAQ 1 Month Chart Above

Apple continues to impress Wall Street

Apple is what I would call a “disruptive” company.  And what I mean is that Steve Jobs isn’t afraid to come out with something that the world has never seen before, or isn’t afraid to place large bets on leading technology. Apple does not really believe in coping other people and following “popular” popular trends.

I see other large companies on the NASDAQ also as “distruptive” companies. Google for example, is highly disruptive in that they aren’t afraid to fail and break things. In fact, I believe that companies like Apple and Google see “broken” and “failure” as defining success.

Wow – I kind of like the way that sounds – broken and failure define success!

It’s so true of companies like Apple, which is why we see them as a leader in the NASDAQ.

Apple also knows how to prepare for even more disruption in the market place. Just look at the all the controversy and soap opera level drama that is circulating around the iPhone 4G. I mean, we have federal agents busting down the doors of bloggers who paid $5000 for an iPhone 4G proto-type… Tom Clancy would be jealous of these story lines!

And yet, this disruption and “broken’ness” in fact is what allows Apple to continue leading in innovation, technology, and ultimately it shows in Apple share prices.

What do you think about Apple and their leadership in the NASDAQ?

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Stock Up, China Unicom Subsidizing iPhone 3G

Executives of wireless carrier China Unicom – CHU2.05, +0.08, +0.67 – have outlined plans to subsidize the purchase of iPhones and other 3G handsets. Their comments were made at China Unicom’s annual shareholder meeting, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Prior to Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) officially launching the popular iPhone in the China market, there was already a black market for the iPhone that was thriving. The people of China were tired of waiting for the government to tell them when they can purchase the iPhone, so a black market was formed, and the demand was being met.

But Apple officially launched the iPhone in China and experienced explosive sales upon that initial launch. Apple executives had this to say about launching the iPhone in the China market:

If you look at greater China which we define as mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the iPhone units were up year-over-year over 9 times. We added another 800 points of distribution in China. The revenue, we have never released this number before but I will do this in this particular case, through the first half of the fiscal year that we just completed for the six month period our revenue from greater China was almost $1.3 billion and this is up over 200% year-over-year. So we are well pleased with how the company is positioned to take advantage of the growth in greater China.

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple shares up on China Unicom news

Now whether or not we can attribute Apple share prices to the China Unicom announcement of subsidizing iPhone purchases is up for debate because the NASDAQ as a whole is up as well (NASDAQ – up 1.94% – 2,421.41).

But Apple shares are definitely on the upward swing trading currently at 262.15, up +5.63 (2.19%).

What do you think?

Do you think that Apple shares are up because of the news from China Unicom, or are Apple shares simply following the overall NASDAQ index?

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Stock Prices Jump 7% In Early Trading

Whatever the drag was on the stock markets last week seems to have subsided over the weekend. Call if fear, bad news, or whatever… investors saw the dramatic declines as a buying opportunity across all of the indexes.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares are definitely not exempt from this market rebound. Already in early morning trading Apple stock prices are up 7%, +16.76 (7.11%), trading right now at 252.71 and climbing toward the positive.

The NASDAQ is trending in the same direction as the tech index is up 4.12% at 2,359.01 as of the time of this writing.

Future Apple announcements and the impact on Apple stock prices

Coming up next month Apple is expected to announce a newly designed, and highly optimized iPhone 4G – running off the new iPhone OS 4 platform. This announcement has been widely expected to occur at the WWDC 2010 that will start in San Francisco on June 7th. Most people who follow the iPhone are anticipating that the WWDC 2010 will open with Steve Jobs making another grand announcement – and this time it will be for the iPhone 4G.

Apple already announced that the AT&T exclusive clause has been extended for another 6 months. Apple extending the AT&T exclusive clause was locked in when AT&T offered Apple half price on their iPad 3G data plans in exchange for an extension on the exclusive clause.

What other factors do you see that are currently affecting Apple stock prices (NASDAQ:AAPL)?

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Stock Prices Plunge With NASDAQ

The overall markets today have taken a beating and have plunged nearly 5% throughout the trading day. The NASDAQ is currently down 4.54% at 2,293.26, the DOW is down -4.15% at 10,416.71.

So right along with the NASDAQ plunging, Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) are taking their share of the beating as well despite strong iPad sales on both the WiFi version and the new iPad 3G.

Apple shares are currently down almost 5% as well (-4.55%) trading at $243.74 which is a 12 point decrease for the day.

Jim Cramer says “buy, buy, buy!”

The illustrious stock commentator Jim Cramer of Madd Money believes that Apple is a “Buy, Buy, Buy!”

I’ve asked the question before, do you think that Apple shares are heading to $400?

In my opinion, I think that $400 within the next 12 months is easily achievable for Apple. After all, we just had the launch of the iPad WiFi and the iPad 3G here in the United States. But on May 10th (Monday) the iPad will launch to the rest of the world.

Also we have potential upcoming announcements of the new iPhone 4G, and more than likely announcements of the iPhone being sold on other carriers such as Verizon.

And don’t forget about iAd – Apple’s mobile advertising platform.  It is believed by some analysts that iAd revenue could potentially reach an annual run-rate of $800 million in revenue by the end of fiscal 2010.

So I think that Jim Cramer is looking at it this way – the stock is down along with the rest of the market. And with the share prices dropping below $250, Apple is a certain buy for long term investors.

What do you think?

Do you see Apple as a buy at the current price of below $250?

Do you think Apple will climb to as high as $400 within the next 12 months?

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Shares Continue Downward Slide

Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) continue their downward spiral again today as they are currently off -2.59 (-1.00%) at 256.09. However, since last weeks recent high of $267, Apple stock prices are down 6%.

The NASDAQ is currently off by -0.67 at 2408.09.

Despite strong sales numbers from the newly released iPad 3G, and from even stronger numbers from the initial iPad Wi-Fi, Apple’s stock price has seemingly done nothing but decline.

Obviously, investors are looking forward and wondering what Apple could possibly bring to the table as far as product design goes.

Some of the future potential catalysts for Apple stock prices include the monthly NPD data (Mac / iPod business); international release of the iPad next week (May 10); and the launch of the next generation iPhone (likely June 7) as well as the CDMA / Verizon version rumored later this year.

The iPhone 4G, and the Verizon deal, are both highly speculative assumptions at the moment. As it is with Apple, very little forward looking news releases ever come directly from the company.

However, it is very likely that iPad sales will continue robust into the distant future as Apple gets ready to open up International sales of the iPad and iPad 3G to international customers.

The iPhone 4G announcement – and possibly even a Verizon announcement – might come on June 7th during Apple’s annual WWDC 2010 conference.

NASDAQ:AAPL – Is Apple Stock The Driving Force of the NASDAQ?

Even though Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) closed down yesterday nearly 3% (2.88% @ $258.68), so did the entire NASDAQ index (NASDAQ closed down -2.98% @ $2,424.25). I wrote yesterday about the question of whether or not Apple is immune to NASDAQ fluctuations. I actually stated it as as the NASDAQ goes so goes Apple.

There were a lot of interesting comments in that post, some nice and others… well… but anyway, the overall consensus might actually be that I was looking at the question entirely backwards.

Perhaps the question isn’t is Apple subject to the NASDAQ fluctuations, instead the correct question may be is the NASDAQ subject to Apple share fluctuations?

Some people believe that Apple shares are the driving force behind the NASDAQ. This makes sense to me from the standpoint that so many other companies on the NASDAQ rely on Apple as a source of business. So if Apple shares are declining or losing momentum, wouldn’t it make sense that all of the companies that rely on Apple go with them?

One comment brought up from yesterday’s article was that Apple shares may have been down 3% due to the news that Apple may be investigated for anit-trust laws regarding their licensing agreement with Iphone App developers.

From that perspective, perhaps its true that the NASDAQ is more subject to the fluctuations of Apple, rather than Apple being subject to the NASDAQ.

What do you think?

Is it more accurate to say that as Apple goes, so goes the NASDAQ?

NASDAQ:AAPL – As The Market Goes, So Goes Apple Shares

Some people might argue with me that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) stock prices are immune to fluctuations on the overall market (NASDAQ). This argument stems from the  fact that Apple stock prices have recently hit all time highs, and also that Apple (Steve Jobs) has promised more amazing product releases – even beyond the iPad.

However, today will prove this assumption – that Apple stock prices are exempt from market fluctuations – false.

All of the major indexes are down currently – here’s where they’re at:

Notice the bottom line is Apple (AAPL) – also down 3%.

So as you can see, and for those of you who believe that Apple stock prices are immune to the market, your theory just doesn’t hold.

Upcoming Apple News

Some of the more prominent events coming up for Apple are:

1. WWDC2010 (Apple’s developers conference) on June 7th
2. Rumors that iPhone 4G will be announced at WWDC
3. Also rumors that Apple will expand iPhone to other mobile phone carriers like Verizon.

Although the iPhone and mobile phone carrier expansion rumors are just that – rumors, it does seem logical especially since Steve Jobs has been quotes as saying that Apple has some amazing product launches coming in the near future – beyond just the iPad.

So what do you think?

Do you think that Apple stock prices are immune from overall market fluctuations?

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Shares Up on iPad Sales Growth

This past Friday was the first day the public was able to go to an Apple retailer store, walk in, and purchase an iPad WiFi and the much anticipated iPad 3G + WiFi. Now both iPad products are in stores and ready to purchased.

iPad Hits 1 Million Mark, Out Paces iPhone

Reports are just coming out over the iPad 3G sales numbers over the weekend, and some estimates say that Apple has sold about 300,000 iPads over the past three days.

This brings the total figure of iPads sold to over 1 million.

The news about Apple iPad sales have definitely hit Wall Street. Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) are up +6.26 (2.40%) trading at $267.35 on the NASDAQ.

Future Apple Announcements

Some other announcements that me be having a positive impact on Apple shares are:

1) iPhone 4G expected announcement (possibly on June 7th)

2) Future announcements of Apple expanding the iPhone beyond just AT&T

Meanwhile, even though the Apple stores are well stocked with iPad, the Apple online store is reporting a waiting time of five to seven days to fulfill new orders for an iPad 3G, as well as Wi-Fi only iPads.

For its part, electronics retailer Best Buy is only selling the units in select stores, “in limited quantities, no rainchecks,” according to a note on its Web site.

Best Buy is not selling iPads over the Internet, according to InformationWeek.com.

Apple Stock Update

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Stock Price Down Nearly 3% For Week

Last Friday, exactly one week ago today, Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) hit a new all time high. It was 10:00 am EST and Apple’s stock price hit $271.88 on the NASDAQ.

Here’s a screen shot of that moment:

Apple stock price drops nearly 3% since last Friday

That was a great day in the history of Apple stock – an all time high of $271.88 is pretty darn good!

However, since last Friday, Apple shares are down approximately 3%.

Here’s the weekly graph of Apple shares price movement since last Friday’s all time record high:

What does this mean for Apple?

Apple shares, at the time of this writing, are currently trading at $262.98, -5.74 (-2.14%) for today.

So what does this downward movement mean for Apple? In my honest opinion, it means absolutely nothing at all.

Most stock analysts aren’t changing their call whatsoever on the stock price, and like Apple stock for the short term so long as the price stays above $255.

Upcoming Events for Apple

Some of the upcoming events might get Apple shares moving back into positive territory again.

Today, Apple launched the iPad 3G + Wi-Fi. The iPad 3G will be delivered today to customers who pre-ordered the device, and in stores today after 5pm for general public purchase.

On June 7th, Apple kicks off their Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) that will held at Moscone West in San Francisco.  The WWDC runs from June 7th – 11th. It is highly anticipated that Apple will announce iPhone 4G – the next generation of the iPhone – at the WWDC10 conference.

It is also predicted that Apple will expand the iPhone market base beyond just AT&T here in the United States. The next major carriers that Apple may expand to with the iPhone are Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

All of these upcoming events for Apple could help the shares start moving into positive gains next week.

NASDAQ:AAPL – Apple Stock Closed Down -2.77% (Graph)

Apple was not exempt from the downward pressure placed on the overall markets yesterday as Apple stock closed (NASDAQ:AAPL) down 2.77% at 262.04 (-7.46).

The NASDAQ index closed down yesterday 2.04% at 2,471.47.

This week, starting today more than likely, Apple will begin shipping their iPad 3G units to customers who have pre-ordered the iPad 3G prior to April 19th.

The new iPad 3G is expected to be even more popular than the first generation iPad – the iPad WiFi version.

The increased sales from the iPad 3G, along with upcoming announcements from Apple regarding a possible iPhone 4G and other possibilities of an iPhone being released on other carriers such as Verizon, should have a continue positive impact on Apple shares.

Here’s a graph of Apple’s stock price movements yesterday (from Google Finance)

NASDAQ:AAPL – Are Apple Shares About To Crash?

Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) have been on a bull run over the past six month and are up nearly 35% during the same period. With the recent iPad release, and the upcoming iPad 3G, we can expect Apple shares to continue their bull run.  There are other factors influencing the future hopes of Apple shares continuing their climb and these include continued strong MAC sales, the potential of an iPhone 4G, and expanding iPhone carriers beyond AT&T.

But what about the current stock price and to likely hood that the stock will continue it’s aggressive climb up. I wrote yesterday about how I believe that we could possibly see Apple shares hit $400 and the associated factors that could drive it to that price.

But what about the volatility of the stock, and the likelihood that it not only won’t continue it’s northward climb, but also the likelihood that it may also drop in price?

Today Apple is down about 2.65% at 262.20.

So what happens if iPad 3G sales don’t turn out to be quite as robust as investors had hoped.

And what about the controversy surrounding the iPhone? There is still no iPhone 4G and the iPhone – at least in the United States – is still only available on the AT&T network.

Should these be points of concern for the investor, or are they examples of how well run Apple is and perhaps these are actually arguments for buying more shares?

What are your thoughts about the outlook on Apple stock prices?

NASDAQ:AAPL – Will Apple Shares Hit $400?

Apple stock prices have been on a bit a terror lately. Just last week, after Apple announced it’s quarterly earnings, and beat revenue estimates by a whopping 36%, the stock shot up to a new record high on April 21st, 2010 to $258.22 a share.

Now the stock seems to have all the momentum in the world going for it coming into even more new announcements of products.

This week will mark the launch of the new iPad 3G. The iPad 3G will allow for people to be truly mobile, feeding the internet off of AT&T’s 3G data network.

The Business Insider is reporting that Gene Munster at Piper Jaffray believes Apple will sell 200-300K iPads this weekend bringing his total unit estimate to 2.7 million in calendar 2010.

With countries like Israel, and universities like Cornell, overcoming their security fears of the iPad, this should open up even more market share potential and more sales revenue for Apple.

It is widely expected that Apple will be announcing the iPhone 4G and with it, expanding the iPhone into other carriers in the United States. So what kind of iPhone sales in the US will we be seeing when Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T are all selling the iPhone? This is huge…

Mac unit sales are up an average of 39% year over year for the first two months of the March quarter, which according to Munster translates into sales of somewhere between 2.8 and 2.9 million Macs for the full quarter. The Street, he says, is looking for Mac sales to be up only about 22%.

All of this points to an outlook that seems very bullish, and it makes me wonder if we won’t actually see Apple stock hit $400 per share by the end of the summer.

So there it is – my prediction is that Apple shares will be $400 by the end of the summer.

So what do you think about that?