Keep an eye on Apple’s Steve Jobs part 4
During tonight’s conference call, when Apple’s CFO was asked why Apple CEO Steve Jobs wasn’t on the call and was it related to his health, the CFO said Mr. Jobs health is a “private matter”.
Apple fans will remind us that Mr. Jobs is never on the calls. But, as answers go, Apple PR folks must have know it wouldn’t fly. Their defence is that until they need to make a statement according to SEC rules, they have nothing to say.
How about – that bug he had at MacWorld is gone and he’s feeling swell, thanks.
You may recall this topic (see prior post “Keep an eye on Apple’s Steve Jobs” June 10-08).
Apple shares are down 10% in the aftermarket – partly due to weak guidance, and partly due to you-know-what.
MRM
I think the Jobs health issue is the much bigger long-term issue. Investors know that Apple really needs Jobs.
The only issue I see with Apple saying he is over the bug is that 3 months from now they are going to be asked again and 3 months after that. If they say he is fine yesterday, they are committed to always answering the question because the moment they do not, the stock sinks as every analyst on the street determines that he is deathly ill. I was listening to CNBC yesterday (Fast Money) and I am pretty sure they spent about 15 minutes disecting why he was not on the call and why they did not just say he was fine and what did that mean when in all liklihood, he is just fine. While “no comment” might not be the answer investors want to hear, hearing it after 3 quarters of “he’s fine” is probably worse