By Clare Baldwin and Sinead Carew
SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Apple Inc Chief Executive Steve Jobs was at the company's headquarters on Monday, underscoring speculation the pancreatic cancer survivor may have returned to work.
Jobs, who has been on medical leave since January, was seen by a Reuters reporter leaving the Apple campus in Cupertino, California dressed in his trademark black turtleneck and jeans. He walked out chatting with another person before climbing into a black car that then drove off.
Speculation has mounted that Jobs could be back at work soon, fueled in part by a Wall Street Journal article last weekend that said the CEO had a liver transplant two months ago.
On Monday, Jobs, 54, was also cited in an Apple press release for the first time in months, triggering talk that the man considered the visionary behind Apple's innovation machine had returned from his leave of absence.
"This is the first time we've heard from Steve Jobs since he reported he was taking medical leave," said Oppenheimer & Co analyst Yair Reiner. "It's a sign Apple has its CEO back."
Apple said in the release that it had sold more than 1 million of its newest iPhone 3GS in the first three days of launch, beating analysts' expectations.
"Customers are voting, and the iPhone is winning," Jobs said in the statement.
Apple, which has not disclosed details on Jobs' state of health while he's been on medical leave, declined to comment.
The company has said in the past that Jobs remains deeply involved in decision-making. He has visited Apple periodically since starting his medical leave in January, according to blog reports that follow his every move.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Jobs had a liver transplant two months ago, but was expected back at work before the end of June.
DISTRACTIONS
Shares of Apple rose as much as 1.5 percent in early trading before falling with the broader market to end the day down 1.5 percent at $137.37. Its stock was flat to slightly lower in after-hours trading.
Analysts said the iPhone sales figures would distract some investors from concerns about Jobs' health to a certain extent.
"Investors will realize that Apple executed well on the launch in Jobs' absence," said Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro.
He said the 3GS sales were strong considering it was available in only eight countries. The last iPhone was launched in 21 countries and also booked 1 million sales in its first weekend. "It shows that the iPhone momentum remains strong." Continued...
Source: Reuters
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