
Audio By Carbonatix
Apple Inc’s hint of returning a ton of cash to shareholders was not enough to move investors who worried more about the iPhone maker’s weak outlook amid reports of production cuts for its flagship iPhone X.
Apple shares were down about 1.4 percent at $165.42 in early trade on Friday.
The iPhone X was the first phone to get a major design overhaul since the launch of the iPhone 6 in 2015, and many expected it to lead to blockbuster sales.
On Thursday, the Cupertino-based tech giant said it sold fewer iPhones over the holiday quarter than Wall Street expected, and sees revenue of $60 billion to $62 billion and gross margins of between 38 percent and 38.5 percent for its fiscal second quarter ending in March.
Analysts were expecting $65.7 billion in sales and a gross margin of 38.9 percent for the March quarter, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Analysts at Longbow Research said the revenue guidance implied a low 50 million iPhone shipment forecast against a consensus of 58.5 million.
“We now forecast 221 million iPhone shipments for fiscal 2018, versus the prior 235 million consensus.”
On Thursday, Apple also said it was planning, over time, to “target a capital structure that is approximately net neutral,” adding that it will “take that balance down from $163 billion to zero,” referring to Apple’s level of cash net of debt.
The comments sent its shares up about 3 percent Thursday after the bell.
”iPhone sell-through appears to have declined in the December quarter, which, along with weaker-than-expected
second quarter revenue guidance, reinforces our view of a saturated market,” KeyBanc analysts said in a note, cutting the rating on the stock to ”sector weight” from ”overweight.”“Further, gross margin results and guidance both missed our expectations, which reduces our view of potential profit growth going forward.”
Of 39 analysts who cover the stock, 29 rate it ‘buy’ or higher. However, the mixed results triggered varied responses from analysts. At least three brokerages raised their target price on the company’s stock largely banking on the possibility of cash returns, while three cut price targets.
“(Apple‘s) cash return should support the stock, but we see little to drive upside,” KeyBanc analysts said.
Latest Stories
-
“Tourism and hospitality are at the heart of our people” – Seychelles Tourism Minister Amanda Bernstein
52 minutes -
Ghana Sports Fund administrator urges patience and support for Black Stars after Croatia defeat
2 hours -
Wesley Girls’ High School launches 190th anniversary celebrations with legacy projects
2 hours -
NPP questions government’s refurbished locomotives, demands transparency over railway acquisition
3 hours -
GJA calls for dedicated defamation law to protect journalists and clarify media litigation
5 hours -
Powerful individuals using defamation suits to silence journalists – GJA General Secretary
5 hours -
Lack of defamation law leaves journalists vulnerable to intimidation lawsuits – Zakaria Tanko
5 hours -
10 years. One stage. Countless lives transformed
6 hours -
Rising defamation suits are crippling investigative journalism in Ghana — GJA
6 hours -
Adwoa Safo petitions Attorney-General to move shooting case to High Court over jurisdiction concerns
7 hours -
Uganda’s Daily Monitor, NTV forced off air after army chief orders closure
8 hours -
Otumfuo urges pharmacists to uphold standards as Pharmaceutical Society marks 90 years
8 hours -
Ghana’s leading businesses honoured at 3rd Ghana Outstanding Business Achievement Awards
8 hours -
All set for Joe Mettle’s Praise Reloaded 2026 at Accra Sports Stadium
9 hours -
Litina Travel’s Made-in-Ghana World Cup Expo draws hundreds in Boston
10 hours