Main topic: Apple's financials in Q3 2023
Key points:
1. Apple's revenue from its Services segment reached an all-time high of $21.2 billion, growing 8% year-over-year.
2. iPhone, Mac, and iPad revenue declined compared to a year ago, with iPad sales experiencing the largest drop.
3. Overall, revenues dropped less than 2% year-over-year, while profits increased about 2% to $19.9 billion.
Main financial assets discussed: Apple (AAPL) stock
Top 3 key points:
1. Apple's valuation is high and its growth is slowing, making it difficult to justify its current market cap. The company's revenue has declined in recent quarters, and its forward P/E and P/S ratios are elevated.
2. Apple has potential for growth in emerging Asian markets, particularly India, where it currently has a small market share. The company's services ecosystem, including the App Store and subscription services, has been a source of growth.
3. Apple has a strong financial position, with high returns on invested capital, a large R&D budget, and significant free cash flow. This provides the company with flexibility and optionality for future growth and acquisitions.
Recommended actions: Hold
Apple's iPhone sales in China have surpassed those in the United States for the first time, contributing to Apple potentially becoming the biggest player in the smartphone market this year, despite global smartphone shipments being on track to be the worst in a decade due to economic headwinds in China and the US, according to Counterpoint Research.
Four Big Tech companies - Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, and Meta - collectively lost $625 billion in market value this month, likely due to seasonal trends and a broader decline in US equities triggered by higher bond yields.
This article mentions the stock of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL). The author's suggestion is not explicitly stated, but they express concerns about the low dividend yield, modest dividend growth, and potential overvaluation of Apple's stock. The author also discusses Apple's strong brand, the possibility of an acquisition of Disney's assets, and the headwinds and risks facing the company. The author suggests that a recession or market correction could lead to a potential price drop and provide a good entry point for investors. However, they also acknowledge the potential for the stock to continue trending upwards, especially during the holiday season.
The global smartphone market is expected to decline, but IDC predicts that Apple's iPhone market share will reach an all-time high due to trade-in deals, buy-now-pay-later schemes, and enticing features in their upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Apple's stock market value surpassed $3 trillion for the first time, driven by signs of improving inflation and expectations of successful expansion into new markets, with technology stocks rebounding on bets that the US Federal Reserve may slow its rate hikes.
Apple shares have declined due to falling revenue in its product segments, but the company's long-term outlook remains strong, driven by its booming services business and dominant market shares, with two reasons to buy Apple stock being the upcoming iPhone launch and its potential in high-growth industries like AI and virtual/augmented reality.
Apple Inc. experienced a significant decline in its stock price after reports emerged that Chinese government agencies have banned the use of iPhones and other foreign-branded devices by their staff.
Apple stocks fell 3.6% after China reportedly banned officials from using or bringing iPhones and other foreign-branded devices into the office, signaling Beijing's push to reduce dependence on American technologies.
Stocks sold off and major indexes closed in the red, while U.S. Treasury yields rose for the second consecutive day; China's trade activity fell in August, but not as badly as expected; Apple signed an agreement with Arm that extends beyond 2040, securing access to the Arm architecture; China reportedly banned government officials from using Apple's iPhone for work; and inflationary pressures and the threat of higher interest rates are causing market concerns.
Apple shares fell during out of hours trading on Thursday, following reports that China has banned government employees from using iPhones, posing a potential threat to Apple's sales and global supply chain.
Apple shares fell over 2.6% as China plans to extend a ban on iPhone use to state-owned corporations, while Dutch Bros dropped 6% after announcing a public offering of $300 million in shares, and Dave & Buster's shares fell over 3% due to weaker-than-expected earnings.
The Nasdaq tumbled due to Apple's falling shares after reports of China banning government officials from using its iPhone and extending the ban to state companies, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained flat and the S&P 500 dropped 0.4%.
Apple stock is experiencing a decline leading up to the release of the iPhone 15.
Apple's recent sell-off due to concerns about a Chinese crackdown on iPhone usage among government workers should not deter investors from the tech giant.
Asian shares fell and the dollar's rally stalled as the greenback weakened against most major currencies; concerns over Apple's iPhone sales in China and the expansion of a ban on iPhones in sensitive departments in China to government-backed agencies and state companies also weighed on sentiment.
Shares of major Apple suppliers dropped following reports of China widening curbs on iPhone use by state employees, raising concerns about sales in one of Apple's biggest markets.
Bitcoin could decline by more than 60% if Apple's market cap continues to decline, according to crypto analyst Nicholas Merten. A plummeting Apple market cap would have a significant impact on Bitcoin and other equities.
The launch of the latest iPhones by Apple aims to boost consumers and investors amidst falling share prices caused by deteriorating international relations, with tensions between Beijing and Washington threatening sales in China, one of Apple's biggest markets.
Summary: Apple announced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro at its annual launch event, with the Pro model keeping the same price as last year's version, while the Nasdaq Composite suffered its first losing day in three, largely driven by a 13.5% drop in Oracle's shares.
Apple has increased iPhone prices in China, Japan, and India, while reducing prices in Europe, with analysts suggesting that the company is targeting less price-sensitive customers and taking advantage of established financing and trade-in options.
If you had bought a top-of-the-line iPhone every time Apple released a new model instead of buying Apple stock, you would have spent around $16,000 on iPhones and made a profit of approximately $131,000 if you had bought the stock instead.
The article does not mention any specific stock recommendations. However, it discusses Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) extensively and highlights the author's positive view towards the company's valuation and growth prospects.
The author's core argument is that while Apple's growth has slowed, its elevated valuation is justified due to factors such as its superior competitive position, strong brand and connection with consumers, solid prospects for future growth, and strong financial position.
Key information and data mentioned in the article include:
- The Wall Street Journal reported that the Chinese government had banned iPhones for government employees, but the Chinese government later denied this report.
- If the ban had been true, analyst Dan Ives estimated it would be a hit of half a million iPhones, but he referred to it as "more bark than bite."
- Apple's growth has slowed, but its high valuation is justified due to its many advantages, including its competitive position and strong financials.
- Apple's valuation is less dependent on current earnings and more focused on long-term prospects.
- Apple's revenue is comparable to other massive companies, but it still has room for growth, especially in the high-margin services segment.
- Apple's dependence on China is both a risk and an advantage, as China is also dependent on Apple.
- The Chinese economy is facing challenges, and a cooperative relationship between the US and China would benefit Apple and the global economy.
- The author believes that Apple's strong management and adherence to secrecy and compartmentalization give it a unique edge.
- The author suggests that expectations for Apple may be too low if globalization is not receding as expected.
Apple is expected to increase its share of India's smartphone sales with the release of its high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, projecting to account for 7% of all smartphone sales in the country from July to December, according to market researcher Counterpoint.
This article mentions the stock of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL). The author's recommendation is to buy Apple's stock.
The author's core argument is that Apple's historical growth and expanding margins make it an attractive investment. They also discuss the pricing strategies and innovations of Apple's new iPhone lineup, suggesting that it will drive sales growth. The author also addresses the potential challenges of prolonged upgrade cycles and the risks associated with the Chinese government's actions towards Apple. They provide valuation metrics and projections for Apple's future revenue and stock price.
Apple has moved $7 billion worth of iPhone production from China to India and plans to increase production in India to $40 billion within the next five years.
Apple stock receives a rare downgrade over concerns of slowing US sales and restrictive iPhone promotions, leading to a decrease in its shares.
Apple stock is expected to face challenges due to lower iPhone upgrade rates and a lack of immediate catalysts, according to analyst Brandon Nispel, who downgraded the stock to neutral and noted that Apple's valuation is stretched compared to historical rates.
Apple's stock, despite recent declines, remains an attractive long-term investment due to its successful track record in dominating various tech markets, its undervalued price-to-earnings ratio, and the booming growth of its services business.
