All eyes are on Apple, again, as the company prepares to release its second-quarter results after the markets close today.
How many iPhones did the company sell? The company blew past expectations last quarter, propelled by strong holiday sales (74. 5 million units) of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. This time around, analysts are expecting big numbers that include sales during Chinese New Year. Stifel analyst Aaron Rakers raised his estimate of quarterly iPhone sales to 59.6 million units from 53.6 million previously because of strong demand in China — where the company is opening more stores — MarketWatch notes.
You might have heard about a new gadget called the Apple Watch, which on Friday started making its way to the wrists of those who pre-ordered them. The company is having problems keeping up with demand — most recently confirmed by a video of retail chief Angela Ahrendts talking to Apple employees about it. One estimate says only one-fifth of orders had been delivered over the weekend. The company is not expected to break out numbers in the near term, but investors and analysts will be watching for anything Watch-related.
Another point of focus is the company s return to shareholders, with Apple expected to provide an update about its share buyback and dividends. The Wall Street Journal notes that the company has returned $103 billion to shareholders over the past three years, part of its plan to return $130 billion by the end of 2015.
Analysts surveyed by FactSet expect Apple to report earnings per share of $2.15, up from $1.77 in the year-earlier period, on revenue of $55.93 billion, up from $45.5 billion.
Shares of Apple are up nearly 2 percent to $132.75.
Photo: An Apple store in Beijing. (AFP/Getty Images)
