Morgan Stanley’s chief Apple analyst Katheryn Huberty recently visited Oz (also known as Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple) and came away with “increasing confidence” in the iPad-maker’s continued ability to amaze Wall Street. After a general conversation with finance head Peter Oppenheimer, Apple Store chief Ron Johnson, and Internet guru Eddy Cue, Huberty believes more than ever in a bullish future.
Apple iPads sales could grow 74 percent over the next two years, describing an “iPod-like market share in tablets.” Likewise, iPhone sales may grow 55 percent in what she sees as a “natural expansion” of distribution. As for Apple Stores, which celebrate their 10th anniversary on May 19, the company will build up to 50 new locations, expanding current stores to handle more product set-up services, Huberty reported.
In that vein, the Apple execs told the analyst software updates now drive hardware introductions. “The company generally views product cycles as software driven,” Huberty wrote after the meeting. She also suggests “major feature/function updates” will be unveiled at this year’s Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, slated for June 6 through June 10 in San Francisco.
