If long-term investors understood this, it should be more than enough to keep them satisfied. Still, as a long-term investor, I never expected to own a stock that could be so volatile due to media rumors and speculation. Nor did I expect that a company could set up an accounting practice that few analysts or WS understood. That seem ridiculous to me unless this is just fanboy BS. I'm going to ignore most of this for now and just wait until the stock market and the economy in general returns to how it was the last few years.

Anyway, what difference does it make that these couple of analysts see Apple the way they think it should be seen. Their opinions or numbers doesn't change anything for Apple or it's stock price. As was mentioned, pumping up the numbers or guidance doesn't help investors who invest and end up being disappointed because the high numbers don't relate to share price gains.

The way some people talk about Apple being the greatest company going on WS, being better than X or Y company, and being recession proof, yet it doesn't translate into anything special for an Apple investor for the short term. So it's somewhat difficult to rationalize even being an Apple investor to make quick, easy money regardless of how great the company is.

Maybe we should just be satisfied that Apple isn't going out of business any time soon and hopefully a year from now we might actually see Apple reach $200 a share once more. Just don't set your expectations to Gene Munster's lofty ramblings.

For once I need one of those made up rumors to kick in, say tomorrow. I don't like the health rumors so let's go with one where Steve Jobs quits Apple and works for Microsoft instead. That would shake up the stock enough to buy in again. .

My misinterpretation makes more sense and is something, unfortunately, you can rely upon.

Can't win…

Howdy neighbor.

The reason for conservative guidance is that people would get really pissed if they did NOT meet guidance, and the law suits would fly.

And – as we enter the Great Republican Recession – there is so much uncertainty that they go closer to worst case than to best case scenarios.

Then the analysts also want to be under because they do not want to disappoint people either. If someone buys on your estimates they will be happy if the company exceeds, but really upset if the company is under. This is the game. It seems to me that Munster is the only one willing to go out on a limb with a real estimate.

IMHO

We have a word of saying if anyone know something just only three days ahead of time, he will be the riches guy on the planet. No need to predict what will the market condition be one or two months later.