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Apple’s PC shipments will continue to be strong, however, are likely to be increasingly impacted by competition and pricing concerns according to UBS analyst, Maynard Um.
His investment note echoes recent comments by Apple’s own CFO Peter Oppenheimer during its recent third quarter trading call.
Um, who has recently taken the chief tech analyst seat at UBS after it was vacated by Ben Reitzes – now at rival analysts Lehman Brothers – said in his investment note that he anticipates shipments to rise 13 per cent this year, boosted largely by emerging markets and continued demand in the notebook sector.
Echoing recent suggestions by fellow analyst Gene Munster at Piper Jaffray, Um said that he expects Apple to unveil a device designed to compete with the rise of netbooks sometime early next year, although it could be delayed till later in 2009.
"Those accustomed to Apple’s ‘ease of use’ and interfaces are unlikely to purchase a Microsoft-based PC. Rather, we believe these users will be more inclined to purchase another Mac when it’s time for an upgrade, which, in essence, creates a recurring hardware venue for Apple," Um wrote in his investment note.
It comes as UBS lowered its rating on UK retailer DSGi from ‘Buy’ to ‘Neutral’ after a rally yesterday saw its share price rise to 53 pence, just short of the investment firm’s new target of 55 pence for the firm’s shares.
The firm has seen its shares rise by 40 per cent this month after the previous months of declines. It said that concerns over the effects of weaker consumer confidence and the housing market would continue to impact on its sales in the near future.
