Yet another analyst has warned that Apple"s third quarter results may be harmed by lower-than-expected iPod shipment. Robert Semple of Credit Suisse First Boston has gone so far as to warn clients that Apple may even warn that its fourth-quarter profit and revenue could fall short of Wall Street expectations when it reveals its third-quarter results.
He expects Apple"s fourth-quarter revenue forecast will be between $4.6 billion and $4.8 billion, rather than the Street"s consensus $4.9 billion estimate, Reuters reveals. Semple is particularly concerned at reports of a late-shipping iPod nano, speculating that Apple may be reducing its inventories of current models of the player.
However, the analyst isn"t convinced that a delay will take place in refreshing the range, saying that he expects the new iPods to ship to schedule in "the September/October time
frame," he wrote.
Apple shares slipped to a nine-month low on markets yesterday on the strength of these concerns.