Apple’s shares climb easing recession and Steve Jobs concerns

Analysts and consumers were all worried that the recession and recent health worries of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs, and the news that he will stand down in the summer would have had an effect of the company's shares. However, shares in Apple Inc. have increased by as much as 12 percent, thanks to heavy demand over the holiday season. Christmas 2008 was a popular time for a number of Apple products, including iPhones, Macintosh computers and iPods. It is the popularity of these devices that helped to offset the slowdown in the U.S. economy, sales passed $10 billion. It just shows that although Apple have always demanded high prices for their products, consumers are still willing to pay those prices. Apple has updated a number of their models, which always seems to persuade consumers to part with some cash. The biggest hurdle that Apple has had to face is the ill health of CEO, Steve Jobs, and now they face the prospect of losing his wisdom in the summer. The second half of 2009 will be a testing time for Apple; we will just have to watch this space. Read full article by clicking the read link below