STEVE JOBS

Apple Inc., the world's most valuable technology company, is set to report earnings for its Q1 of 2011 after the close. While focus on Steve Jobs' health and leave of absence will likely put pressure on Apple shares, analysts believe the Apple's quarterly performance is still intact.

Stocks advanced on Tuesday as price target upgrades of Caterpillar and Google offset disappointing Citigroup results and worries about another medical leave by Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs.

U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday as price target upgrades of Caterpillar and Google offset disappointing Citigroup results and worries about another medical leave by Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced a medical leave yesterday. Robert W. Baird & Co takes a look at what happened to Apple stock in the two previous times Jobs took a medical leave.

As Apple shares are plunging due to Steve Jobs' renewed health concerns, some Street analysts think it is a good buying opportunity to accumulate shares.

US stocks traded mixed in early trade on Tuesday following weaker-than-expected earnings from Citigroup, while declines in Apple shares dragged technology-heavy Nasdaq lower.

The health of Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs was set to overshadow quarterly sales numbers on Tuesday from the consumer electronics powerhouse, whose iPhone and iPad excited holiday shoppers.

The S&P and Nasdaq dipped on Tuesday after Citigroup's quarterly results missed estimates and Apple's Chief Executive Steve Jobs took another medical leave.

It has been a long journey since Steve Jobs came up with the name Apple Computers but the company now known as Apple has become synonymous with the man. Pundits have often predicted that Apple will fail without having Jobs at the helm.

The top pre-market NASDAQ stock market gainers are: ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Datalink, Sterling Bancshares, China XD Plastics and Ku6 Media. The top pre-market NASDAQ stock market losers are: Apple, Avago Technologies, Cypress Semiconductor, NVIDIA and ASML Holdings.

Apple is set to report earnings today, and analysts are expecting revenue to jump to as much as $24 billion, a rise of 55 percent over the year-ago quarter. But the thought of the company without Steve Jopbs is casting a pall over the good news.

Apple's Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook is again at the helm, after CEO Steve Jobs announced that he is going on a medical leave.

S&P and Dow index futures were higher on Tuesday as investors were upbeat about corporate earnings, but Nasdaq futures were weighed by Apple after the iPad maker said its chief executive was taking another medical leave.

Stock index futures pointed to a mixed open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.02 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.11 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.7 percent at 3:45 a.m. EST.

Stock index futures pointed to a mixed open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.02 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.11 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.7 percent at 3:45 a.m. EST.

Apple Inc is set to report a stunning 50 percent jump in quarterly sales on Tuesday, as its iPhone and iPad excited holiday shoppers, but the consumer electronics powerhouse may face more pressing questions about the health of iconic chief executive Steve Jobs.

The euro was on shaky ground on Tuesday with no imminent decision in sight on how to beef up the euro zone's rescue fund, while Asian tech shares outperformed despite news that Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs is taking medical leave.

Hedge fund manager David Einhorn -- an Apple investor -- said in December that one shouldn't worry too much about CEO Steve Jobs' health at these cheap valuations.

(Corrects COO Tim Cook's first name)LONDON/SAN FRANCISCO - Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs is taking medical leave for the second time in as many years, sending shares tumbling close to 10 percent as the news revived concerns over the long-term future of the iPhone- and iPad-maker.

Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) shares plunged on German stock exchanges today after it was reported that Chairman Steve Jobs would take another leave of absence, fuelling worries about the potential length of his absence and the extent of his health issues.

Steve Jobs' email to Apple employees about medical leave