Apple Mojo Shows No Signs of Slowing
By: If you’ve held Apple for the past 365 days, chances are this is a happy New Year’s Eve. Shares of Apple are about 25% higher for 2011.
But now investors must evaluate if the growth and Apple magic can continue into 2012.
Skeptics argue that Steve Jobs was the creative genius behind the firm, and that the company risks a serious misstep without him.
However both Jon and Pete Najarian don’t see it. They believe that CEO Tim Cook will lead the company as competently as Mr. Jobs. They say Apple will continue to wow the crowds, and more.
“I would own the stock right here, I think it has a lot of upside in 2012,” says Jon.
He sees immediate catalysts.
Not only is he bullish on an expected refresh of the iPad and iPhone 5 – he thinks Apple is about to introduce a new gadget that will be as much a game changer as the iPod was when it was introduced.
“I think they put Siri (voice recognition) on all their devices, especially Apple TV. You’ll basically be able to tell your TV what to do. People will have a seamless experience end to end with Apple products at the hub of it all.”
Although the technology is not proprietary to Apple, Najarian sees one major difference. “Apple makes it simple. They give consumers a good experience.”
Brother Pete also expects gains but for another reason --a dividend. “Sooner or later they’ll pay one, I think it comes when they surpass $100 billion in cash on the balance sheet,” he says.
Gina Sanchez of Roubini largely agrees. “I also like the product pipeline,” she says, “and those products should drive the stock higher.”
Earlier in the month, widely followed Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster told us Apple had about $200 of upside. Click here to go to Apple Should Trade $607: GeneMunster.
______________________________________________________
Got something to to say? Send us an e-mail at fastmoney-web@cnbc.com and your comment might be posted on the Rapid Recap. If you'd prefer to make a comment, but not have it published on our Web site, send those e-mails to fastmoney@cnbc.com.
CNBC.com with wires.
