Apple Releases Q3 Financial Report Later Today--Likely to Beat Analysts' Estimates

After the close of the NYSE today, Apple will release the financial report for the third quarter (ended June 30th) of its 2006 fiscal year. Apple will also hold an audio webcast conference call with financial analysts to present its Q3 report, including a Q4 projection, and answer questions. The webcast will occur at 2pm PT (5pm ET) and may be listened to with QuickTime from this Apple Web page as we reported on Monday.

The consensus analysts' estimate of Apple's 2006 Q3 financial performance provided by Thomson First Call is $0.44 earnings per share (ref.), below Apple's 2006 Q2 at $0.47 as usual but much higher that the 2005 Q3 at $0.37. However, it is rare under CEO Steve Jobs that Apple does not beat the analysts' consensus, sometimes very significantly. We expect this to happen again today and will provide a report subsequently. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]