Apple Recap: Stock Uptrend, Innovation Needs, and Cut Targets

Splashed across every variety is evidence of the war of words developing between the two largest smart device creators in the world: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung (SSNLF.PK). Both companies are looking to distinguish themselves, but for Samsung in particular, this is of critical importance as the company has been accused in court of copying the iPhone maker.

To push this war beyond words, Samsung launched Wednesday its 39,999-dollar, 85-inch “floating wall” television. The company has made smart TVs for six years, but this is its first release since rumors that predicted a fall release for Apple TV began circulating. With this release putting Apple at a disadvantage, and several analysts contributing some negative buzz to the ever-growing Apple rumor mill, shares of the iPhone maker ended the day down $2.41, or 0.53 percent, at $452.08.Here’s a cheat sheet to today’s top Apple stories:

Is This An Apple Uptrend Or A False Start?

If CNNMoney’s Paul R. La Monica and StockMonster’s Guy Adami are correct, then there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Apple’s six-month slide may finally be bottoming out, and as Adami put it, “for the first time in a while, Apple might actually look interesting.”

Of course, “interesting” is relative. Apple and its stock have generated more vehement conversation and received more media coverage over the past few months — years, really — than most companies will elicit in their lifespans. The company has at least 46 professional brokers and analysts covering it, hundreds if not thousands of amateur pundits, and a veritable army of investors who stand by the stock despite 25 percent year-over-year losses… (Read more.)