It came from Rumorville, so it must be true.

On Tuesday, investment bank Piper Jaffray stated that it believes Apple is readying new iPod and notebook products which could apply downward pressure to profit margins given a lower price focus. The leading cause for this: a potential new 13" MacBook priced under US$1,000.

According to AppleInsider, Apple caught analysts and investors off guard by guiding the company's gross margin down to 31.5% for the current quarter ending September, and down to 30% for all of fiscal 2009.

In a report released yesterday, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster stated that there appear to be two primary reasons for Apple's market guidance:

First, Munster stated that management is likely continuing with its historical practice of guiding gross margin 270 basis points (2.7%) below the previous quarter's actual margin.

Secondly, he believes the company is preparing to cut the prices of existing products to maintain its momentum during a time of economic uncertainty.

"We believe there is an 80% chance Apple will introduce redesigned MacBooks and possibly new MacBook Pros at lower price points," he wrote. "Specifically, Apple may re-enter the US$999 price point (currently US$1,099) with the MacBook, or test the $1,799 price point with the MacBook Pro (currently US$1,999)."

Munster also stated that he expects "slightly redesigned iPods" that will include "lower-cost touch-based iPods" in time for the holiday shopping season.

"We believe Apple is getting slightly more aggressive with its pricing; but overall the company is not diverting from its strategy of premium pricing," said Munster.

While the focus this week will be "anxiety over gross margin," Munster believes it's only a matter of time before Wall Street clears its head and looks past margin guidance to focus on fundamentals, such as the upcoming product transitions and the positive impact those new products will have on revenue growth.

Stay tuned for more news on this as it becomes available and if you've heard anything on your end, let us know in the comments or forums.