Apple (AAPL) 05 (Aug 18 - Dec 24)

[winston]

not vested

Apple is offering discounts of as much as 500 yuan (S$95.25) on its latest iPhones in China for the first time in years, a rare cut that may deepen fears about dwindling demand for its marquee device.

Apple introduced the savings on its official Chinese website on Monday (Jan 15). The deal runs from Jan 18 to 21 ahead of the Chinese New Year shopping season, and the iPhone discount is equivalent to about 5 per cent off its top-of-the-line gadget.

The move coincides with a growing preference within China for local brands such as Huawei Technologies, as well as edicts barring the use of foreign devices across a growing number of state-backed agencies and firms.

The discounts this year encompass everything from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple will also offer savings on devices including the MacBook Air, most iPad models, some AirPods and the Apple Watch, according to its website. The company is knocking as much as 800 yuan off the MacBook Air’s price tag.

Source: Phillips

[winston]

not vested

Apple reported fiscal first-quarter earnings on Thursday that beat estimates for revenue and earnings, but Apple showed a 13% decline in sales in China, one of its most important markets.

Apple reported 2% sales growth in the December quarter, breaking a streak of four straight quarters with annual revenue declines.

Apple’s gross margin continues to rise, nearly breaking 46% in the December quarter.

Apple reported $33.92 billion in net income during the quarter, up 13% from the same period last year.

IPhone sales were just under revised Street expectations and grew nearly 6% to $69.70 billion, a positive sign for the iPhone 15 models released in September. This is Apple’s first full quarter with iPhone 15 revenue.

Source: Phillips

[behappyalways]

Pre-orders for Apple’s Vision Pro are booming, with the first batch sold out within an hour!
Are you still enthusiastic about buying?
Experts worry about battery life, apps, and price may become obstacles

蘋果Vision Pro預購火爆 首批1小時內賣光! 買氣繼續夯? 專家憂續航力.App應用.價格恐成阻力｜非凡財經新聞｜20240122

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4t-IWTQ_Bmo

[winston]

not vested

Apple, Inc. (AAPL) – Thursday, February 1

Apple’s earnings came in at $2.18 per share, an all-time record for the company, which beat analysts’ estimates for $2.11 per share.

It’s also up 15.9% year-over-year from earnings of $1.88 per share in the same quarter a year ago.

Revenue of $119.58 billion also beat expectations of $117.9 billion, and was up 2.1% from the same quarter last year.

The bright spot in Apple’s report was its Services revenue and iPhone sales.

Services revenue, which includes Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Card, Apple Fitness and Apple One, rose 11.3% year-over-year to $23.12 billion.

Likewise, iPhone revenue came in at $69.70 billion which rose 5.9% year-over-year.

During the earnings call, CEO Tim Cook stated:

Today Apple is reporting revenue growth for the December quarter fueled by iPhone sales, and an all-time revenue record in Services.

We are pleased to announce that our installed base of active devices has now surpassed 2.2 billion, reaching an all-time high across all products and geographic segments.

Now, all of this seems very positive, but it is important to note that sales out of China were disappointing. This region, the company’s third largest after North America and Europe, reported sales of $20.8 billion while analysts were expecting $23.9 billion.

Source: Market 360

[winston]

not vested

Issues with AAPL:-
1. Apple is staring down another quarter of underwhelming-at-best revenue
2. The days are numbered for its 30% App Store tax
3. Its AI plans are lagging behind
4. The FTC is coming
5. The Apple Watch doesn’t have a blood oxygen sensor
6. The Vision Pro is receiving lukewarm reviews

Source: Bloomberg

[behappyalways]

Federal Agency Issues Security Warning For Apple Devices, Gives Three Weeks To Comply
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/fed ... eks-comply


Apple Slides On Plunging China Sales, Service Revenue Miss, Mediocre Guidance
https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/17 ... 9777345956

[winston]

not vested

Apple Inc - Stock Analyst Research
Target Price* 194.00
Recommendation NEUTRAL

Apple Inc. - Weak demand for products continues

1Q24 results were within our expectations with 1Q24 revenue/PATMI at 30%/33% of our FY24e forecasts.

Historically, 1Q revenue/PATMI accounts for 31%/34% of the fiscal year forecast.

Services growth of 11.2% YoY remains the standout, with AAPL’s installed base climbing to 2.2bn.

Gross margin delivery came in at 45.9%, the high end of its guided 45-46% range, up 70 basis points sequentially due to higher iPhone Pro and services revenue.

Products and service gross margin were at 39.4% and 72.8% sequentially.

Weak demand for products remains a drag, with a 13% YoY revenue contraction from China also a concern due to increasing competition from domestic brands like Huawei.

We downgrade to a NEUTRAL rating from ACCUMULATE due to recent share price gains.

Our target price remains unchanged at US$194, a WACC of 6.5%, and a terminal growth rate of 3%.

There is no change of forecast. As product sales remain muted, we expect Services to continue being the main drivers of growth.

Source: Phillips

https://www.poems.com.sg/stock-research/AAPL/

[winston]

vested

Broker│View

Citi│Quarterly revenue and earnings were in line with expectations, and client management revenue was flat YoY

Huatai Securities│Committed to core business growth while focusing on optimizing shareholders' returns

HSBC Global Research│Business growth drived by re-investment to may drag down earnings outlook, and selling investments may boost shareholders' returns

Jefferies│Activate growth through investment

CICC│Increased investment in core business and largely increase buybacks

UBS│Short term outlook mixed

Goldman Sachs│Re-invest in core businesses while maintaining capital returns

Morgan Stanley│Reactivated growth through investment may affect short term profitability

Source: AAStocks Financial News

http://www.aastocks.com/en/stocks/news/ ... -news/AAFN

[behappyalways]

How Apple’s iPhone Overtook Samsung As The Top Smartphone In The World
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8oPXtfZlsto

[behappyalways]

Be careful! Don’t put keys or coins together with Vision Pro.
Actual testing found that the scratch resistance is far inferior to that of mobile phone screens.
It is estimated that it will be sold in China in April to challenge Apple fans’ beliefs.
小心!鑰匙.硬幣別和Vision Pro放一塊兒 實測發現耐刮度遠遜手機螢幕 估4月銷"陸"挑戰果粉信仰｜非凡財經新聞｜20240207
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2jsjDkUkXUc



I Spent 24 Hours Wearing Apple’s Vision Pro Headset | WSJ
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xI10SFgzQ8