For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL - December 1, 2011 - Zacks.com announces the list of
stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity
Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting
stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the
blog include
Apple Inc.
(
AAPL
),
Research In Motion Ltd.
(
RIMM
),
Hewlett-Packard Co.
(
HPQ
),
Cisco Systems Inc.
(
CSCO
) and
Amazon.com Inc.
(
AMZN
).
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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst
Blog:
Apple Beaten in Aussie Court
In an unprecedented turn of events,
Apple Inc.
(
AAPL
) suffered a rare defeat as the Australian Federal Court cleared
the way for Samsung Electronics to sell its Galaxy 10.1 tablets in
Australia.
However, Samsung has got to wait until the termination of the
existing ban period, or, December 2, 2011, before its Galaxy
tablets hit the stores. Besides, Apple has the option of appeal in
a higher Court for re-imposing the ban, post the expiry of the
stipulated ban period.
In October this year, an Australian court had ruled in favor of
Apple and temporarily banned the sale of the latter's Galaxy 10.1
series of tablets in the country. The ruling was in relation to the
patent infringement case in which Apple had sued Samsung over the
design and look of its galaxy products. (For the related story
please read:
Apple Beats Samsung in Aussie Court
)
Apple's defeat in Australia, though a smaller market compared to
Europe and Asia, will likely boost Samsung's confidence to counter
other design-related lawsuits in the U.S., Germany, Korea, Japan,
the Netherlands, Britain and France.
Until now, Apple seemed to have enjoyed an advantageous position
as it successfully defended its design-related patent lawsuits in
several countries, where the rulings went against Samsung, banning
its Galaxy Tabs and smartphones. However, this case appears to have
exposed a chink in Apple's armor of design-related patent
infringement lawsuits.
While the bans have given the iPads a head start in capturing
consumer mindshare, the loss could prove to be a big one. The look
and feel of the iPad is a competitive differentiator and with these
differences receding, Samsung is going to find it easier to compete
with Apple. Additionally, there is always the fear that other
courts may rule along the same lines.
This is a positive for consumers however, as it should increase
competition and encourage continued innovation in performance
rather than looks.
Black Friday Sales & Apple's Trajectory
Apple sold about 15 iPads per hour at Apple Stores on Black
Friday, a 68% increase from last year and management expects Apple
to sell 13.5 million iPads and 5.2 million Macs in the quarter that
ends on Dec. 31, according to an analyst at Piper Jaffray. (Piper
Jaffray's estimates have been notoriously off in the past, so we
need to take a wait-and-see approach).
Apple might have kicked-off its holiday season in the domestic
market with a bang, but its smartphone and tablet markets are
crowded with the likes of
Research In Motion Ltd.
(
RIMM
),
Hewlett-Packard Co.
(
HPQ
), Samsung,
Cisco Systems Inc.
(
CSCO
), Toshiba and Acer, which are gaining popularity in several
international markets. Additionally,
Amazon.com Inc.
(
AMZN
) stepped into the intensely competitive tablet market with the
launch of its first media tablet: "Kindle Fire."
Some analysts expect the lower-priced Kindle Fire to gain
traction in the tablet market for the varied services and content
offerings. Others believe that the company may not gain ground
versus Apple just yet, although it could get other tablet makers to
review their pricing. However, so far, Apple has managed to
maintain its leadership position in the tablet market and enjoys a
very strong position in the smartphone market as well.
Nonetheless, the impending lawsuits in different countries will
remain an overhang on the stock going forward.
We also believe that Apple's ability to innovate and grow in
developing nations, where the market is more cost-sensitive, will
determine the company's fortunes in future.
We maintain our Neutral rating over the long term (6-12 months).
Currently, Apple has a Zacks #2 Rank, which implies a 'Buy' rating
in the near term.
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APPLE INC (
AAPL
): Free Stock Analysis Report
AMAZON.COM INC (
AMZN
): Free Stock Analysis Report
CISCO SYSTEMS (
CSCO
): Free Stock Analysis Report
HEWLETT PACKARD (
HPQ
): Free Stock Analysis Report
RESEARCH IN MOT (
RIMM
): Free Stock Analysis Report
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Research