INSTANT VIEW 4 - Apple, eBay quarterly results
18.01.06 22:54
(Adds comments)
NEW YORK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Two of the U.S. technology
sector's biggest companies reported their quarterly results on
Wednesday afternoon.
** Online marketplace eBay Inc. posted strong
quarterly profit and revenue at the high end of Wall Street
expectations and said momentum was good heading into 2006,
despite leaving its outlook unchanged.
** Apple Computer Inc.'s quarterly profit nearly
doubled as the company sold more than 14 million of its
market-leading iPod digital music players in the
holiday-sales-fueled period.
COMMENTARY:
SCOTT DEVITT, ANALYST, STIFEL, NICOLAUS & CO.-- on eBay
"The quarter was fine. The company didn't increase 2006
guidance and I think that would be viewed as a negative."
MARTIN PYYKKONEN, ANALYST, HOEFER & ARNETT -- on eBay
"Not changing the guidance means the Street estimates are
too high.
"I am pretty cautious at this point.
"It's not just this quarter, but a belief that the growth
at the core online U.S. auction market will decelerate as we go
through 2006."
MIKE KOSKUBA, PORTFOLIO MGR, VICTORY CAPITAL MNGMT -- on eBay
"It looks as though the quarter, as anticipated, came in
strongly. Clearly, investors were concerned that management did
not raise guidance for next year."
SHANNON CROSS, CROSS RESEARCH/SOLEIL SECURITIES -- on Apple
"The problem with this company and the problem with
commenting right now (before the conference call) is that so
much is going to come out on the call.
"I think it's very tough to underestimate Apple."
NITIN GUPTA, ANALYST, YANKEE GROUP -- on Apple
"Historically, the Mac has been the primary revenue
generator -- even though all the news has been about the iPod
(over the past few years). At this rate of growth, the Mac is
not going to be their primary revenue driver.
"If they become too dependent on iPods and digital audio
players that's a risk over the long terms. I's going to be hard
to maintain those iPod shipment numbers."
eBay story: [ID:nN18231475] Table: [ID:nWEN8013]
Apple story: [ID:nWEN8017]
((New York Equities; +1 646 223-6000))
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