Where Do Financial Analysts Get Their Fanciful Numbers? The Case of Apple's Quarterly Blowout Report

I often wonder how professional financial analysts get those numbers predicting recent sales figures and projecting earnings per share. I’m sure other people are wondering the same thing after listening for days and weeks about how weak Apple’s iPhone and computer sales have been. These analysts projected Apple would have to hit at least $1.62 to $1.65 per share in earning or else suffer dire consequences. The actual result? As AppleInsider put it…