What To Watch For In Apple's Earnings: With iPhone Sales Slumping, Buyback Better Amaze

As we discussed yesterday, Apple's iPhone X sales woes have been extensively documented in recent weeks (most recently in " Doubts Grow At Apple" That A $1,000 Smartphone May Not Have Been A Winning Idea") and with earnings by the world's most valuable company scheduled for 30 minutes after the close today, many analysts and investors have asked just how Apple will avoid having its stock punished for what has been a disappointing quarter (and likely lackluster guidance) with some speculatingthat Tim Cook could unveil a shareholder payout as large as $400 billion in the coming years to offset operational fears.