Investors should sell Apple options because “the best technology company on the planet” may gain from more iPhone sales outside of the U.S. and selling ads on mobile devices including the iPad, Gleacher & Co. told clients — as noted by “Bloomberg” (http://macosg.me/2/sa).

Analyst Brian Marshall recommended selling Apple’s January 2012 US$230 puts, which fell 1.2 percent to $38.39 yesterday. Selling a put, which gives the right to sell, is a bet that the stock will rise, allowing the seller to keep the premium paid, notes “Bloomberg.” The shares gained 1.2 percent to $242.89.

“The No. 1 driver of the stock over the next 12 months will be continued penetration into the smartphone segment, especially in the international market where their penetration is much less compared with the U.S.,” Marshall said in an interview with “Bloomberg.”