Mac, iPod sales each down 16% in February – NPD
The Apple (AAPL) numbers released by the NPD Group Monday were even worse than those predicted by Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster last week, yet he sees them as "a neutral or a slight positive" for the stock, given the uncertainties surrounding the entire computer industry this quarter.
NPD reported Mac and iPods sales both down 16% year to year in February, according to a report issued Monday to Piper Jaffray clients.
Analysts had expected both numbers to be down (although not quite that much), given how strong sales were in February 2008 and the fact that many Mac customers were holding out for the new machines that didn't get introduced until March 3. The Street was anticipating -4% growth in the February NPD Mac data, according to Munster.
Adding in overseas sales (which NPD does not measure), Munster now expects Apple to sell 2.0 to 2.2 million Macs by the end of the March quarter. He also estimates that the company will sell 9 to 10 million iPods in that period, in line with the Street's consensus of 9.5 million iPods.
As he did last week (see here), Munster says he thinks Mac sales will pick up in the last month of the quarter, thanks to the shipment of new iMacs, Mac minis and Mac Pros.
He also expects iPods to sell better in March, bolstered by the new iPod shuffles unveiled last week.
Finally, addressing the iPhone 3.0 special event scheduled for 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) Tuesday, Munster says he expects "significant new features" but no new iPhone hardware. Nor does he expect Steve Jobs, who is still on medical leave, to make an appearance at the event.
Apple is growing in other areas, however, such as app sales, perhaps iTunes music, and definitely cash from iPHone deferred revenue.
This is only a small sample. And it doesn't include Apple's own stores and online sales, if I am not mistaken.
As long as we're making religious analogies, Apple followers are just trying to protect their stock from the devil. It has now been proven that the stock was often manipulated by powerful short sellers. We are not just fan boys playing with the shiny new toys. We are investors trying to survive.
As long as we're making religious analogies, Apple followers are just trying to protect their stock from the devil. It has now been proven that the stock was often manipulated by powerful short sellers. We are not just fan boys playing with the shiny new toys. We are investors trying to survive.
@ Neil, Fremont & Asher Pat, London et al;
Apple doesn't require defending, except perhaps to say – it's products speak volumes.
Your comments are like water off a duck's back.
@ Neil, Fremont & Asher Pat, London et al;
Apple doesn't require defending, except perhaps to say – it's products speak volumes.
Your comments are like water off a duck's back.
@ Neil, Fremont,
The analogy of Apple as a “beautiful woman” is correct but does not fully describe the phenomenon. For many people, Apple is a church, a religion. Like in a religion, the success to convert new believers to the “church” gives the existing ones more meaning in their lives. The success of the religion feels like their success, any threat to the infallibility of the belief is fiercely attacked, competition mocked and despised, e.g., when an industry dares to defy the dominance of Apple (e.g., in the case of Hulu), the Apple promoting media attacks the offenders hysterically trying to “prove” that it is better for them to continue kneeling.
Note that pilgrims to the annual hoopla of Apple are called the “faithful”, those who switch to Mac from PC are called “converts” (sometime, not to make the religion thing too obvious, they call them “switchers”), products of Apple are affectionately called “Jesus-phones” and followers are encouraged to spend time in exclusive emporiums of the brand. Some even don’t bother to disguise the fact, calling their branches names like the “Cult of Mac”.
@ Neil, Fremont,
The analogy of Apple as a “beautiful woman” is correct but does not fully describe the phenomenon. For many people, Apple is a church, a religion. Like in a religion, the success to convert new believers to the “church” gives the existing ones more meaning in their lives. The success of the religion feels like their success, any threat to the infallibility of the belief is fiercely attacked, competition mocked and despised, e.g., when an industry dares to defy the dominance of Apple (e.g., in the case of Hulu), the Apple promoting media attacks the offenders hysterically trying to “prove” that it is better for them to continue kneeling.
Note that pilgrims to the annual hoopla of Apple are called the “faithful”, those who switch to Mac from PC are called “converts” (sometime, not to make the religion thing too obvious, they call them “switchers”), products of Apple are affectionately called “Jesus-phones” and followers are encouraged to spend time in exclusive emporiums of the brand. Some even don’t bother to disguise the fact, calling their branches names like the “Cult of Mac”.
To all the Apple lovers out there. Apple is like a beautiful women, with age she gets old and eventually dies. Don't get upset with your stocks, and how Apple is doing so poor. It is inevitable. What goes up, must come down. Same thing is happening to Microsoft, and honestly I am glad. It is time for the young and new to step into the market place and take of. Look towards the HTC touch, and the next generation phones in Japan. MC Hammer put it best when he said "You can't touch this!" So bye bye Apple, you became the sell out like Microsoft, so you get what is coming to you.
To all the Apple lovers out there. Apple is like a beautiful women, with age she gets old and eventually dies. Don't get upset with your stocks, and how Apple is doing so poor. It is inevitable. What goes up, must come down. Same thing is happening to Microsoft, and honestly I am glad. It is time for the young and new to step into the market place and take of. Look towards the HTC touch, and the next generation phones in Japan. MC Hammer put it best when he said "You can't touch this!" So bye bye Apple, you became the sell out like Microsoft, so you get what is coming to you.
RE: "The numbers come out. I report them. You got a problem with that, take it up with NPD." More like, the press release comes out and you paste it. How about YOU take it up with the NPD. Actual "reporting" would include showing us their track record and how they get their numbers.
ex ped: As we've reported before, NPD gathers point-of-sale data — including market share, pricing, and sell-through — from a network of about 750 retailers (chains, dept. stores, catalog stores, etc.) and reports it monthly to its clients, including Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster. They do not give the information away in press releases. Perhaps NPD is in the business of spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt about Apple, as you imply by asking whether Jim Cramer fed me this story, but I've never heard anyone who knows what they are talking about make that charge.
RE: "The numbers come out. I report them. You got a problem with that, take it up with NPD." More like, the press release comes out and you paste it. How about YOU take it up with the NPD. Actual "reporting" would include showing us their track record and how they get their numbers.
ex ped: As we've reported before, NPD gathers point-of-sale data — including market share, pricing, and sell-through — from a network of about 750 retailers (chains, dept. stores, catalog stores, etc.) and reports it monthly to its clients, including Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster. They do not give the information away in press releases. Perhaps NPD is in the business of spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt about Apple, as you imply by asking whether Jim Cramer fed me this story, but I've never heard anyone who knows what they are talking about make that charge.
Here's the "above the fold" title at http://money.cnn.com/:
"Mac, iPod sales lousy in February"
"Lousy"?
I'd like to know who came up with the determination that they were "lousy", and how that squares with "“Analysts had expected both numbers to be down, given how strong sales were in February 2008, but not quite that much”.
And that IS the kind of bashing of Apple that's both negative and inaccurate – just like John Stewart took Jim Cramer to task for!
Here's the "above the fold" title at http://money.cnn.com/:
"Mac, iPod sales lousy in February"
"Lousy"?
I'd like to know who came up with the determination that they were "lousy", and how that squares with "“Analysts had expected both numbers to be down, given how strong sales were in February 2008, but not quite that much”.
And that IS the kind of bashing of Apple that's both negative and inaccurate – just like John Stewart took Jim Cramer to task for!
Philippe, very seriously, can you recall anything at all that Gene Munster (or Shaw Wu) classified as "negative" for Apple? Ever?
Philippe, very seriously, can you recall anything at all that Gene Munster (or Shaw Wu) classified as "negative" for Apple? Ever?
The chart does not give justice. Of course sales are going to topple in these months, America needs to get back to the fundementals like Apple is doing and worry about long term strategy rather than what this or that quarter does to affect the market…rediculous…
The chart does not give justice. Of course sales are going to topple in these months, America needs to get back to the fundementals like Apple is doing and worry about long term strategy rather than what this or that quarter does to affect the market…rediculous…
Given the strength of the dollar, it is probably a fair prediction that sales outside the USA dropped greatly. It certainly have where I live, and the dollar is up roughly 40%…
To me, it seems the analyst didn't take currency effects properly into account.
Given the strength of the dollar, it is probably a fair prediction that sales outside the USA dropped greatly. It certainly have where I live, and the dollar is up roughly 40%…
To me, it seems the analyst didn't take currency effects properly into account.
Why is Obama going after AIG bonuses. How about he and his family stop using tax payer money for living rent free, traveling rent free etc. As the leader he has a real oppt. to set the tone
Why is Obama going after AIG bonuses. How about he and his family stop using tax payer money for living rent free, traveling rent free etc. As the leader he has a real oppt. to set the tone
What's with all the whining. Sales were down as reported by the numbers, and down more then expected. Why is it when there is something remotely negative about Apple we have to hear a bunch of BS.
I don't think anyone is saying Apple is closing up shop, just saying thier sales are worse then expected…
Get over it
What's with all the whining. Sales were down as reported by the numbers, and down more then expected. Why is it when there is something remotely negative about Apple we have to hear a bunch of BS.
I don't think anyone is saying Apple is closing up shop, just saying thier sales are worse then expected…
Get over it
"but no new iPhone hardware"
At an event dedicated to iPhone *OS*, i.e. software? No kiddin'.
ex ped: I think Munster may be addressing the rumor that Apple could introduce a tablet tomorrow. See here.
"but no new iPhone hardware"
At an event dedicated to iPhone *OS*, i.e. software? No kiddin'.
ex ped: I think Munster may be addressing the rumor that Apple could introduce a tablet tomorrow. See here.
Their lower end computers are priced fairly competitively. But their upper end is completely out of whack.
Their lower end computers are priced fairly competitively. But their upper end is completely out of whack.
Bunch of crooks! Jon Stewart exposed just one of them as the manipulators they are.
The Y/Y sales figures may seem convincing to the simple mind, but considering where in the product cycles the comparisons are made would give you a clearer picture.
Phillip Elmer-DeWitt and the NPD Group are just Apple FUDsters that better hope the humorous Daily Show skewers them before the SEC finds out about their "shenanigans."
ex ped: Feel better now, MacFanDave?
Bunch of crooks! Jon Stewart exposed just one of them as the manipulators they are.
The Y/Y sales figures may seem convincing to the simple mind, but considering where in the product cycles the comparisons are made would give you a clearer picture.
Phillip Elmer-DeWitt and the NPD Group are just Apple FUDsters that better hope the humorous Daily Show skewers them before the SEC finds out about their "shenanigans."
ex ped: Feel better now, MacFanDave?
only a matter of time. no steve jobs to save them now. they need to adjust their prices if they want to be competitive. sorry but nobodys going to pay their prices in todays world.
only a matter of time. no steve jobs to save them now. they need to adjust their prices if they want to be competitive. sorry but nobodys going to pay their prices in todays world.
Did Jim Cramer feed you this story?
ex ped: The numbers come out. I report them. You got a problem with that, take it up with NPD.
Did Jim Cramer feed you this story?
ex ped: The numbers come out. I report them. You got a problem with that, take it up with NPD.
The Apple bashers are at it again, February YOY sales are down? You don't say. Did anyone consider that during the last two weeks of February that iMacs were not in stock in many stores? That the largest big box retailer was out of stock in over 40% of it's stores? That February 08' was a blockbuster month for Apple?
Funny how when one omits facts how a "story" can paint a false picture.
Irvine, CA
ex ped: Did you skip over this sentence: "Analysts had expected both numbers to be down, given how strong sales were in February 2008, but not quite that much"?
The Apple bashers are at it again, February YOY sales are down? You don't say. Did anyone consider that during the last two weeks of February that iMacs were not in stock in many stores? That the largest big box retailer was out of stock in over 40% of it's stores? That February 08' was a blockbuster month for Apple?
Funny how when one omits facts how a "story" can paint a false picture.
Irvine, CA
ex ped: Did you skip over this sentence: "Analysts had expected both numbers to be down, given how strong sales were in February 2008, but not quite that much"?
Apple is growing in other areas, however, such as app sales, perhaps iTunes music, and definitely cash from iPHone deferred revenue.
This is only a small sample. And it doesn't include Apple's own stores and online sales, if I am not mistaken.