One Very Bearish Prediction for Apple Inc. (AAPL)

Additionally, Kass also discussed that he believes “Apple’s earnings will come in at less than $40 a share.” Wall Street, on average, is expecting Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to finish FY2013 with an EPS of $48-$49, and the company did finish FY2012 with an EPS of $44.15.

One industry-specific factor that could affect Apple’s bottom line may be tax-related. Here’s what Kass had to say on the subject:

“I think also under pressure for Apple will be: Senator Levin has a sub-committee investigation on offshore tax havens, the results of which will be released in the next month or two, and this will underscore the fact that Apple and many tech companies have tax-avoidance strategies, which are hurting the budget deficit.”

When asked to specify his target price on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Kass stated: “I think the stock will spend most of the first six months [of 2013] under $550 a share; I think $450 is reach.”

While we can only wait and see what the future will bring for the Cupertino-based tech giant, it’s refreshing to hear a bit of a different opinion than the typical Apple analyses. Kass makes a very good point about possible pressures from Washington, which can obviously throw a kink in any potential earnings growth that the company experiences from its product releases.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, and for more Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) coverage, continue reading here:

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Disclosure: I have no positions in any of the stocks mentioned above