I was looking at the Apple stock chart on CNN.com, and saw two apparently contradictory headlines listed:
I knew that it was likely just a case of using different comparison time frames, but it still looked amusing!
As I looked at the two articles, my suspicions were validated. The article on the left was describing a Q4-Q1 drop of 33%, not all that surprising given the iPhone 5 launch and holiday season. The second article was describing year-over-year Q1 growth of 25%, which seems pretty good.
Isn’t it nice how you carefully select which stats to use in your headline, in order to drive the perception you want?
As Twain said: Lies, damned lies, and statistics!
FredSpace 