Analyst: 75% chance of iPhone in next 12 months

Apple’s stock will benefit this year from new iPods, Intel-based Macs and the possibility of an Apple-branded cell phone, investment firm Piper Jaffray told clients this week. “We would be buyers of AAPL on the recent pullback given we believe iPod demand will accelerate in mid-CY06, based on upcoming positive seasonality and new form factor iPod’s,” Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster wrote in a research note sent to iLounge. “Additionally, we believe Apple will benefit from the new Intel-based Mac’s, along with what we estimate to be a 75% chance of a iPhone in the next 12 months.”