Apple has had an amazing ride this last year and a half – from a 52-week low of $76.00 to a 52-week high of $194. 30. Since July 2006, the stock has consistently been on an upward trend. The question you should be wondering is how long the upward trend can continue? Within the next year, Apple (AAPL) should see $215 or more.
Why, because the fundamentals are strong. Even as the competition is chasing after their jewels – namely the iPhone and the iPod, they still haven’t been able to capture the current magic of the Apple brand. The combination of great design, more than competent products, and the crown jewel (the Brand itself) leaves the company with a significant lead. Will the competitors one day catch up? Possibly, but it will take time and a combination of the cachet that Apple has been able to garner.
One brand that comes to mind is Sony’s Walkman. If Sony could start firing on all cylanders they could make a run at Apple, but that would take a gargantuan revamp of the company – possible an American style breakup.
*Note: The author does own stock in Apple.