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The big week for Apple

Looking for some short term stock movement? Watch Apple this week.

Now you're not going to catch me gambling on Apple's stock based on what it might do this week, but I'll have my eye on it nonetheless. Tuesday begins the Macworld conference, a frenzied gathering of Apple lovers in San Francisco, which has become Steve Jobs' stage for announcing Apple's cool new products. Some may remember that last year's Macworld brought us the Apple TV set-top box and… oh yeah, the iPhone.

Largely on excitement over the iPhone, Apple shares jumped during the week of Macworld last year and there are no doubt many investors licking their lips hoping that the same thing will happen this year. A few of the recent comments from Apple's page in CAPS paint a pretty bullish picture:

• "With their new revelations and innovations being on display this week [at Macworld], there should be a short term boost at least." (DSIPL)
• "It's Apple. Do I really need to explain?" (DMBonedust)
• "Steve Jobs is the key here. As long as he remains, Apple will be a great investment." (cdelaney08)
• "In anticipation of the introduction of a mini super-light Macbook and introduction of the new hard drive technology in the US I'm surprised the stock is looking like such a value right now. Looks cheap to me!" (captnhowdydodat)

A word of caution though: when anticipation gets high enough, its nasty cousin disappointment can't be too far away. The iPhone last year set a pretty high bar for Jobs' time in the spotlight this year, and investors expecting too much could end up underwhelmed.

As I said, I'll be watching from the sidelines, but I expect that no matter what Jobs says this week, there will be plenty of Apple shares changing hands.

(Full disclosure: I do not have a financial position in any of the companies mentioned.) 

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