Tag: piper

Piper Jaffray said today that a 0.5% increase in Mac market share “is not unrealistic” for Apple if the current interest and demand continues for its iPod. “We believe a 0.5% increase in market share, to 2.5%, would have a significant impact on numbers,” the research firm said, increasing calendar 2005 and 2006 Mac sales by 16% and 24%, respectively. “Despite potential supply issues in the Sept.

Piper Jaffray said that over the next two years Apple will grow its market share ahead of expectations thanks to greater-than-expected adoption of iPods, which will translate into increased Mac sales. The research firm also said that iTunes “will emerge as a psychological catalyst for shares of Apple in 2005,” and that strong iPod and iMac demand will lead to a strong fiscal first quarter ending in December. In addition, Piper Jaffray said that Apple is currently seeing strong portable sales.

Piper Jaffray has reiterated its “outperform” rating on Apple, saying the company’s 2005 retail strategy will serve as a catalyst for revenue growth. “We believe the Street is underestimating the power of Apple’s retail strategy,” Piper Jaffray said. The research firm said Apple plans to gain new customers in high-traffic areas thanks to their attractive storefronts. “The hope is that these visitors will purchase Apple products in the future,” Piper Jaffray said.

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said that the “wow factor” of the new iMac G5 could provide a catalyst for Apple sales and the company’s stock. “We believe that the significance of the change in the iMac design will impact Apple shares as investors begin to anticipate greater-than-expected iMac upgrade numbers,” Munster said in a research note.

Piper Jaffray said earlier today that it thinks the iTunes Music Store could emerge as a driver for Apple’s shares in fiscal 2005 and 2006. “We believe that the Street is underestimating the impact of iTunes on two levels: hype factor and financials,” the firm told clients. “Based on Apple itself downplaying the potential growth and profitability of the iTunes Music Store, we believe expectations related to this segment are minimal…

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has raised his estimates for Apple based on continued growth of “other” products such as iPods and software. The target price was raised from US$30 to $32.