Some bruises on the Apple?

[marmar]

By Edwin Chan and Noel Randewich Edwin Chan And Noel Randewich – Wed Mar 16, 4:50 pm ET


LOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – A rare Wall Street downgrade stoked fears that Apple Inc's torrid growth is slowing and sent its shares sliding for the second straight day as nervous investors ponder the impact on the tech industry from Japan's largest-ever earthquake.

The world's largest technology company lost about $14 billion of value on Wednesday after JMP Securities' Alex Gauna downgraded the stock, pointing to a sharp pullback in sales growth at Apple's largest Asian contract manufacturer as a sign that business was also slowing at the iPhone and iPad maker.

"There's a risk of complacency. The sell-side has gotten itself into a game of one-upmanship," Gauna said. Investors "should make sure that they're comfortable with the situation ... especially since there's just so much uncertainty right now."

He added: "We know that Japan as a supplier matters." ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_apple

[onehandle]

1. LOL! The entire market is down this week. Meanwhile, iPad is predicted to dominate through 2013...

...or beyond. Surveys say that purchasers see the iPad as the 'real deal' and all other tablets as knock offs.

And the iPad is cannibalizing the netbook market.

Apple is on track to become the most market valuable company within a year.