Not yet. This is the SETUP for the fall. The prediction is that it will be "another record quarter." This is intended to pump up the stock a bit. Then, when the quarterly results come out and Apple sells, say, 41.5 million iPhones instead of the "predicted" 42 million, the stock will take a dive because even though 41.5 mil would still be a record, not beating the estimate = DOOOOOOOMED.
Mark my words, this is *exactly* what will happen. Already, the hard data (as the article points out) suggest the number is closer to 38 million so far, not 42.
Yep, you nailed it. Last quarter Apple was pretty much bang on its forecast (which is more realistic than it was during the Jobs era) and the stock still took a nose dive because iPhone sales didn't match Wall Streets more aggressive estimates. That's why I wish Apple would stop giving guidance and providing sales figures. Google doesn't provide guidance and most of Apple's competitors rarely release sales figures on a consistent basis. Apple should only do the bare minimum required by the SEC.