Apple Bears Fruit for Shareholders

The outlook for Microsoft's earnings call for the last quarter is expected today and it bests analysts expectations; online editor Kurt Mackie will sort out the details at Redmondmag.com later this afternoon.

Analysts predicted moderately bad news, mainly as a result of poor PC sales. Of course, we're all wondering what the next few earnings quarters will show, and what impact Windows 7 sales will have.

What's even more interesting, though, is that Apple continues to prove that OS bit players (really, it's what it is) can make bank against the 800-lb. gorilla. The company's OS market share has improved by a modest 3-point increase, mainly at Microsoft's expense. Some analysts peg Apple as having as much as 10 percent of the OS market now. Even though its OS still has a hill to climb, where it counts is Apple's awesome revenue numbers last quarter: $9.87 billion, which was well above Apple's own estimates, with $1.67 billion of that being profit. All good news to shareholders.

And remember that we're in a recession. Some of the credit for Apple's success, of course, is attributed to the iPhone juggernaut, but still -- how do you like them apples?

Who's all for predictions? Will Apple continue to increase OS market share, even with Windows 7 in the mix? Or will Windows 7 be able to regain lost ground? Predictions welcome here.

Posted by Michael Domingo on 10/23/2009 at 11:59 AM