June 19, 2012 (AAPLTrader)

Zach Epstein from foxbusiness.com wrote yesterday that Apple can already lay claim to the most profitable quarter in history among technology companies. Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White on Monday wrote in a note to clients that Apple is currently on track to record the most profitable year ever among publicly traded companies.

“In CY12, we believe Apple is poised to generate the highest annual net income of any publicly traded company ever. On average, we estimate Apple’s net income in CY12 will be over 6 times higher than the three tech companies on an individual basis (when at a $500 billion market cap) or 1.9x the aggregate profit of these three companies combined. When including all five companies, we estimate Apple’s net income in CY12 will be 4 times higher than the average.” – Brian White

$1,000+ Price Target

White has a forecast of $1,111, which is twice the amount of the current stock price.

Something to have an eye on this year with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is a sleek new iPhone with a 4-inch display, launching in the third quarter, an “iPad mini” set to launch in September, and an upcoming Apple HDTV, even though Apple has not confirmed the announcement of the iTV.

Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster reiterates a rating on shares of Apple and a $910 price target. He conducted a survey of 100 developers during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco last week, suggesting the company has strengthened its grip on programmers with its “iOS” operating system software that runs its iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

In my opinion, Apple is better than the other competing software platforms, including Google’s (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android, Research in Motion’s (NASDAQ: RIMM) BlackBerry, and Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows Phone software. There are more apps to come out with the new IOS, which is only going to boost the continued growth for Apple, on top of the sales expected from the new Macbook Pro, iPad, iPhone and other mysterious devices to come.

MSFT’s new “Surface” tablet is nice, comfortable, sleek and hip. However, no third party apps available on the Windows 8 devices on ARM (RT version)! I thought Microsoft was competing with AAPL? Doesn’t seem like a competition too me when AAPL has 225,000 apps for the iPad.

Check out what the AAPLTrader Community is saying about Apple right now.

MSFT vs. AAPL

Here are some comparisons with the Surface (Pro version) and the iPad 3:

10.6-inch Screen Size                                               9.7-inch Screen Size

HD Display                                                                 Retina Display

1.9 Pounds                                                                1.4 Pounds

.53 Inches Thick                                                       .37 Inches Thick

64 or 128GB                                                              16, 32 or 64GB

No Cellular Connectivity                                            Cellular Connectivity w/ AT&T or Verizon

According to research firm DisplaySearch, the MSFT Surface tablet is estimated to reach $78.7 billion this year. Good numbers, but I think it’s too far-fetched for them. Apple has created critical mass with its iPad tablets. It’s too late.

Dividend

Apple announced that it intends to pay a dividend of $2.65 per share, pending approval from its board. The company will begin making the payments sometime during the quarter that begins July 1, according to the Washington Post. Apple proposing a psychological jump by giving back to shareholders is a great way to push this stock higher, even though some say the dividend is far overdue.

How about a stock split in the future for AAPL? This event could bring more volume & further growth to the stock if applied. The big question is when and what type of split will come into play? We’ll just have to be patient and wait. Anticipation at its best.

 

Eric Consiglio – AAPLTrader.com