RBC Capital analyst Amit Daryanani asserts in a research note this morning that the company, in fact, could sell 40 million iPad minis in the first 12 months after launch, generating $10 billion in revenue and an extra $1.15 a share in profits.
As I've noted in several posts recently, there has been widespread speculation that Apple will hold an event on September 12 to launch the next generation iPhone, with a roll-out to follow on September 21. To date, Apple has not confirmed that there will be an event that date. Daryanani writes that supply-chain commentary points toward "a material ramp-up" in Apple's ecosystem ahead of the iPhone 5 launch, which is almost certainly coming this fall, whether or not September 12 is the right date.
He also says that checks with the supply chain find that there will be more than just an iPhone 5 launch; what is unclear, he says, is whether the company really will launch a smaller iPad, or simply refresh the current configuration.
As for the stock, he thinks investors should stay long ahead of the iPhone 5 launch - and the potential debut of both new iPad products and an Apple television.
AAPL this morning is down $1.56, or 0.3%, to $605.25.
