Analyst: Apple must disclose Steve Jobs' health, succession plan

Apple’s shares were down 7.08% and falling this morning as investors fret over the health of CEO Steve Jobs.

Today analyst Oppenheimer & Co downgraded Apple's stock from "outperform" to "perform". The company says it will not recommend the stock again until Apple either discloses the state of Jobs' health or made a succession plan public.

Yesterday, the Apple announced that Mr Jobs would not take the stage at January’s MacWorld Expo (in another shock, the company’s last).

The company offered no explanation for its CEO’s withdrawl, sparking speculation Mr Jobs is considering second retirement, or has a serious health issue.

MacWorld has always been Mr Jobs’ showcase for announcing blockbuster products like the iPod and MacBook Air and – like Apple itself – many fans find it hard to envision the event without the seemingly irreplaceable Apple founder and CEO, who has no obvious successor.

During his last on-stage appearance, at Apple’s September Let’s Rock event, Mr Jobs’ looked painfully thin, but energetic.

The iconic CEO was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003 and underwent successful surgery in 2004. Apple said his drawn appearance at Let’s Rock was down to a simple bug.