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Apple and iPhone5

One of the most important product launch for Apple in particular and all of tech world happened on Sept 12 and iphone5 started shipping on Friday Sept 21. This one product could be first ever $100 Billion product. I got mine on first day and has been using it for last 48 hours and I am impressed with two things which matter: Design and Speed. I used Galaxy SIII for last two months. Galaxy SIII itself is very impressive phone. But when I switched back to iphone5, there is no comparison when it comes to style and design. iphone5 is clear leader in today's smart phone world!
I was little surprised that I could even get my hands on it on first day itself (for ipad I had to wait for 2 months and for iphone4 also I had to wait for 3 weeks). Looks like Tim Cook is finally putting his stamp on Apple bu making sure that enough supply is available for anyone who wants to buy it. Predictions are that over 8 million iphone5 would be sold in one weekend. That's like $4-5 Billion in revenues in one weekend. Overall it could sell as many phones as all previous versions of iphones combined - that would be like 250 Million units or so.
So what does it mean to Apple stock - should one consider investing it at all time high? Given impressive iphone5, ipod refresh and upcoming ipad mini, Apple has strong product pipeline and iphone and ipad by itself would be worth more than many big companies like Oracle, Cisco or Microsoft. In addition, Apple cash would grow to over $150 Billion by end of 2013. Given all these, I won't be surprised if Apple stock would cross $800 in 12 months. Given uncertainty in other stocks, I would say Apple is relatively safe bet even at today's lofty price. LTE would also help AT&T and Verizon since users would tend to use more data on their mobile phones.
Now let's talk a bit on elections. There is general feeling that Presidential Elections are almost over with  President Obama winning 2nd term. Romney has one final chance in first debate. If he cannot turn things around, he can as well start packing the campaign! Markets have already discounted this and they are looking at President Obama and congress to act on avoiding fiscal cliff immediately after elections. That would make congressional and senate elections more interesting. There is very good chance that democrats may get control of congress back and keep slim majority in senate.
T20 world-cup is in full swing and I enjoyed today's match in which India beat England handily!
Have a great week!
/Shyam

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