(AAPL) Fourth Quarter 2012 Earnings Season Gets Into High Gear – Earnings Preview

The fourth quarter reporting season gets into high gear this week, with 253 companies coming out with quarterly results, including 83 S&P 500 companies. The earnings season thus far has been relatively uneventful, but we will have a better idea by the end of this week; by then we will have seen 30% of the total fourth quarter reports. While last week was all about banks, the focus this week is on the Technology sector, particularly Apple (AAPL) which reports after the close on Wednesday. The iPhone maker has lost some of its sizzle lately and is expected to see earnings decline from the same period last year. No company grows forever, but it may be premature to write Apple off. Other major Tech companies reporting results this week include