I know, it’s the least original idea to be bullish on Apple (AAPL, Financial). Everyone is. The average analyst rating according to Bloomberg is 4.7 (out of 5). Only Google (GOOG, Financial) and Baidu (BIDU, Financial) score better and barely so. It just feels like I’m every day, thousands write about owning Apple. You’d think I’d want to stay away from the crowd right? How often does following everyone else turn out to be right? Very rarely, I’ll tell you that. Just look at gold these days. Seems like a few months ago, buying gold was the new “risk free” way to make money. These days, everyone is running for the exits…
Let’s take a look at all of the cheapest companies in terms of forward P/E (excluding Chinese companies which are a bit more complex) from the stocks that I follow:
Tell me, is there any stock on this chart that even compares to Apple? Some might outperform without a doubt. But I would put all my chips on Apple if I had to choose. Just take a look at Apple’s revenues growth in recent quarters:
Is it recession proof? It’s not very far. Some might say that growth will slow down and they might turn out right (eventually they will) but even 10-20% growth would be a bargain at this price.
2012 will see the launch of a new generation of iPad’s, perhaps a smaller version and will likely see the launch of the iPhone 5, all of which will certainly turn out to be huge winners. As if that wasn’t enough, Apple seems to be almost ready to officially launch Apple TV. Steve Jobs hinted in his last days that he had finally figured out tv and most analysts expect Apple to launch the product in 2013. Will it be a hit to the level of the ipad/ipod/iPhone? Perhaps but I don’t even think it needs to be THAT successful.
Disclosure: No position on Apple
Hear Me Out
I’m glad to see that you’ve kept on reading. I’m not trying to just be a “me too” guy over here. But Apple is dirt cheap and I think it’s crazy that the stock has not increased more. When I compare it to the other stocks that I follow, it comes out as one of the safest and undervalued investments. Rarely do those 2 words come together. Let’s look at a few numbers to start off. In the last 4 quarters, Apple has reported earnings per share of $27.67 and is trading at $400 or so… that is a trailing P/E of 14,5 or so. Very good right? Estimates are for the current P/E to be 13.81 and next year’s P/E to be just under 10, at 9.83.Let’s take a look at all of the cheapest companies in terms of forward P/E (excluding Chinese companies which are a bit more complex) from the stocks that I follow:
StockPE RatioPE Next YearSales Growth Research In Motion Ltd (RIMM, Financial)2.924.2433.13 Microsoft Corp (MSFT, Financial)9.468.3311.94 [b]Apple Inc (AAPL)13.819.8365.96 QuinStreet Inc (QNST, Financial)19.279.920.36 ValueClick Inc (VCLK, Financial)13.5510.081.91 Adobe Systems Inc (ADBE, Financial)16.5710.2810.95 Expedia Inc (EXPE, Financial)16.0312.8113.29 eBay Inc (EBAY, Financial)19.9812.884.91 Dice Holdings Inc (DHX)18.5713.0717.28 Monster Worldwide Inc (MWW)12.9713.750.99
[/b]Tell me, is there any stock on this chart that even compares to Apple? Some might outperform without a doubt. But I would put all my chips on Apple if I had to choose. Just take a look at Apple’s revenues growth in recent quarters:
Is it recession proof? It’s not very far. Some might say that growth will slow down and they might turn out right (eventually they will) but even 10-20% growth would be a bargain at this price.
The Upside
The biggest thing about buying Apple is that not only is the downside very limited, but there is also significant upside. The mobile market continues to explode and I don’t think anyone would argue that the iPhone is losing momentum. It does face very stiff competition but things are still going strong for the Apple. Add to that the iPad which continues to see little to no competition in the tablet market.2012 will see the launch of a new generation of iPad’s, perhaps a smaller version and will likely see the launch of the iPhone 5, all of which will certainly turn out to be huge winners. As if that wasn’t enough, Apple seems to be almost ready to officially launch Apple TV. Steve Jobs hinted in his last days that he had finally figured out tv and most analysts expect Apple to launch the product in 2013. Will it be a hit to the level of the ipad/ipod/iPhone? Perhaps but I don’t even think it needs to be THAT successful.
Steve Jobs Factor
Honestly, the only knock that I can see regarding Apple is the uncertainty created by the departure of Steve Jobs. That could certainly create issues but so far things do seem to be on pace and I think that if that is the knock against Apple, it is way overblown.Are You Bullish On Apple?
I would love to hear from anyone that thinks I’m way off here. What would I be missing? If Apple is overvalued, what would you rather buy? Especially in the technology sector? In case you have missed that, if nothing crazy happens between now and the year end, Apple will be one of the first stocks that I will end up going long on when stocks picks resume in a few days.Disclosure: No position on Apple
