UPDATE: Gaming Apple In The Wake Of Blockbuster Sales

After hours, Apple reported sales that blew past expectations; jumping well over $15 billion – that compares to slightly more than $10 billion in the prior year.

Earnings also beat the Street; coming in at $2.08 a share in Apple's fiscal first quarter. Apple earned $1.78 a share in the same period the year before

But earnings are only part of the story if you’re a trader. The tech titan intends to introduce what it’s calling the “latest creation” at a somewhat clandestine event on Wednesday of this week.

Many Apple watchers expect to see a new tablet computer on the order of Amazon’s Kindle but with widespread gaming capability. Some investors are hoping the new gadget will become as ubiquitous as the iPod.

Although strong earnings and a product launch appear bullish, the company's shares often sell off right after major launches after months of rumor fuel big expectations.

What’s the Apple trade?

Strategy Session with the Fast Money traders

The Apple trade is all about your view on the broader market, Guy Adami explains. If you think stocks are going higher, Apple should go higher too. However, if you're like me and think the sell-off is the start of something bigger, then expect Apple to go down faster than the broader market.

I would not put more money into Apple ahead of the “latest creation” event, Tim Seymour reveals. We’re less than 5% off the highs and the tech market looks a little vulnerable. A lot seems to be baked into this stock. And Apple stock was unchanged on Monday in the after hours, he adds. We don't usually see that. I think it's a bad sign.

Apple’s results make me bullish on tech broadly, counters Joe Terranova. I’m increasing my position in Qualcomm , VMWare, Microsoft and more. And I still like Apple, he adds. I'm excited about the event on Wednesday. Their product cycle continues to grow. Stay with it.

I'm watching SanDisk as a beneficiary from the new Apple tablet, adds Mike Khouw of Cantor Fitzgerald. Flash memory is expected to be a big part of the new gadget and speculation suggests Apple is looking to diversify in terms of their suppliers.

With Apple's focus on China and other emerging markets, I’d look at playing the build out with names such asLucent and Nokia, says Jon Najarian.

Elsewhere in the sector I’m watching RIM, Adami adds. It looks to me like it wants to drop, further.

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Trader disclosure: On January 25th, 2010, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s Fast Money were owned by the Fast Money traders; Seymour Owns (AAPL), (BAC), (FXI), (INTC), (PBR), (X), (TSO), (VIP); Adami Owns (AGU), (BTU), (C), (GS), (INTC), (MSFT), (NUE); Finerman's Firm And Finerman Own (FLS); Finerman's Firm Is Short (IJR), (MDY), (SPY), (IWM), (USO), (UNG); Finerman's Firm Owns S&P Puts; Finerman Owns (AAPL); Finerman's Firm Owns (BAC), (BAC) Leaps; Finerman Owns (BAC) Preferred, (BAC); Finerman's Firm And Finerman Own (GOOG); Finerman's Firm Owns (MSFT); Finerman's Firm And Finerman Own (WFC) Preferred; Terranova Is Short (CMA), (ESS), (CAL); Terranova Owns (QCOM), (MSFT), (DELL), (AAPL), (EMC), (FCX), (MMM), (XOM), (BAC), (JPM); Terranova Owns March Copper Futures

For Joe Terranova
Terranova Works For (VRTS)
Terranova Is Chief Market Strategist Of Virtus Investment Partners, Ltd.
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (CLB)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (DLR)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (EXR)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (IGE)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLY)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (DBV)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (UA)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLB)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLI)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (SKT)

For Jon Najarian
Jon Najarian Owns (VMW)
Jon Najarian Owns (AAPL), (AAPL) Collar

For Mike Khouw
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (SNDK)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (JAVA)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (ORCL)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (MSFT)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (AAPL)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (EMC)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (TXN)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (INTC)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (CSCO)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (QCOM)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (KLAC)
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Is A Market Maker In (AMAT)

Other relevant disclosures:
FBR Capital Markets Is A Market Maker Or Liquidity Provider For (YHOO)
Pete Najarian Owned (AAPL), (AAPL) Collar Today


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