Analyst: Minimal Impact Seen From Stock Options Probe

October 4th, 2006 at 3:00 PM - Apple Stock Watch by Brad Cook

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster on Thursday weighed in on Appleis stock options probe, noting that while the 15 impacted option grants was more than he had expected, he sees minimal financial impact. He wrote: "Apple will take a non-cash charge for options related compensation expense. In addition Apple will pay back taxes, which we estimate will be less than $50 million, which would be less than 0.6% of Appleis cash on the balance sheet."

In addition, Mr. Munster said that the elimination of "remote risk to [CEO Steve] Jobsi position at Apple" should ease investorsi concerns that "the options investigation could somehow spiral out of control and lead to the end of Steve Jobsi career at Apple."

He maintained his "Outperform" rating on Appleis stock, with a US$99 price target. The latest news doesnit seem to have concerned investors too much: At 12:29 PM EST on Thursday, the companyis shares were selling for $75.43, up 0.7% for the day.

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