Some Apple (AAPL) commentary: 1) Horace Dediu estimates the iPhone and iPad's component costs respectively rose 29% and 65% Y/Y in FQ2, well above rev. growth of 3% and 40%. This, along with a mix shift towards iPads, is mostly responsible for Apple's gross margin drop (rather than price pressure). 2) Tero Kuittinen sees similarities between 2013 Apple and 2007 Nokia. "The strongest parallel is in the weird way both companies started fighting the consumer preference for larger displays … and then dug in as margins began eroding rapidly." Tim Cook may have just hinted a bigger iPhone will eventually arrive. But how long will it take? (yesterday) [View news story]
5" inch screen??? It better get here soon. I am a baby boomer and my excellent eyesight is going down hill fast. I didn't buy a 27" Mac because it was pretty. My eyes can squint for only so long while using my iPhone. I lost money on Nokia when they wouldn't listen to their customers. I hope Apple does a better job in this area.
The Apple-Microsoft Comparison Is Valid [View article]
I live about 3 miles from an Apple Store so I make a point of stopping in to see how their traffic is holding up. It is always busy, even when the rest of the mall is empty. I think Apple continues to have a strong following of customers, but I will be watching that store.
Over its previous opposition, Apple (AAPL) implemented earlier this month a plan requiring executive officers to hold 3x their annual base salary in stock. The CEO is required to hold 10x his salary, and independent directors 5x their retainer. [View news story]
It's better than the worker who gets the minimum wage of $7.25.
Wal-Mart (WMT -3%) takes another leg down after an exec confirms what Cleveland Research warned on earlier - February sales are off to a disastrous start due in part to the expiration of the payroll tax cut. No surprise, but shares of Target (TGT -2.6%) are falling hard as well. [View news story]
Please don't call our President an idiot with your lies. It makes you look like ... an idiot.
bcrounse: I agree with every word in your comments. I have been a Costco member for 13 years and have never been disappointed. The stock keeps going up, and I keep asking if I am too late to get in. I think your comments have made me finally pull the trigger. Thanks.
PPL is going to continue making large profits because the PUC in Pennsylvania basically gives the utilities whatever they want whenever they want it. They just got another huge rate increase. I am long PPL thanks to the taxpayers in Pa.!
"To put this plainly, I do not see another iPod, iPhone or iPad for Apple to latch onto and propel itself to new heights." Stephen: no one saw the iPod, iPhone, or the iPad coming either. I think it boils down to Tim Cook and the 80,000 Apple employees. I am putting my money on them to be creative and innovative, and I think they will be. Time will tell.
Excellent, well researched article. I am long Apple for several years, and it amazes how the analysts keep getting it wrong. Every time I go to my local Apple store it is jammed with people. When I want to buy one of their new releases I usually have to wait days to get it. The sales people tell me they can't make their products fast enough to meet the demand. The UPS delivery guy tells me Apple is a huge portion of his deliveries. A twelve year old told me he got a Samsung for Christmas, but he is saving his money for an iPhone. I don't see the demand for their products decreasing in the near future, but who saw the New York flood coming?
Apple (AAPL) has fired the manager behind the mapping software which put a cloud over the iPhone 5 release, reports Bloomberg. Maps manager Richard Williamson was let go by Senior VP Eddy Cue, who recently was put in charge of Maps and Siri amidst a management shakeup that saw the departure of iOS chief Scott Forstall. [View news story]
I agree. I have been using the Maps app for weeks, and have not had any problems. Go figure.
Apple (AAPL) announces its next-gen iMac, first introduced at its iPad Mini event, will go on sale on Nov. 30. The iMac's ultra-thin design has created some buzz, but (in a recurring theme for Apple hardware lately) it looks as if its use of cutting-edge manufacturing processes will create supply constraints. Aside from reports of display shortages, Tim Cook mentioned on Apple's FQ4 earnings call there will initially be a "significant shortage" of iMac units. Both the 21.5" and 27" models use Nvidia (NVDA) GPUs. [View news story]
Apple always has "supply constraints" because they make products that are always better than the competition, and the public knows it. The numbers don't lie.
I never shop at Walmart and never will unless they stop treating their employees unfairly. Costco hires their new people at Walmart's highest wage and provides decent benefits. Very few Costco employees leave once they get a job. At Costco the employees seem to enjoy their work ... I know many of them on a first name basis. And guess what? Their prices are just as good or better than Walmart.
Some Apple (AAPL) commentary: 1) Horace Dediu estimates the iPhone and iPad's component costs respectively rose 29% and 65% Y/Y in FQ2, well above rev. growth of 3% and 40%. This, along with a mix shift towards iPads, is mostly responsible for Apple's gross margin drop (rather than price pressure). 2) Tero Kuittinen sees similarities between 2013 Apple and 2007 Nokia. "The strongest parallel is in the weird way both companies started fighting the consumer preference for larger displays … and then dug in as margins began eroding rapidly." Tim Cook may have just hinted a bigger iPhone will eventually arrive. But how long will it take? (yesterday) [View news story]
The Apple-Microsoft Comparison Is Valid [View article]
These High-Yielding DOW Stocks Should Do Well After Today's Poor Jobs Report [View article]
Linn Energy Offers An 8% Yield And Growth Supplying Energy To America [View article]
Linn Energy Offers An 8% Yield And Growth Supplying Energy To America [View article]
Over its previous opposition, Apple (AAPL) implemented earlier this month a plan requiring executive officers to hold 3x their annual base salary in stock. The CEO is required to hold 10x his salary, and independent directors 5x their retainer. [View news story]
Wal-Mart (WMT -3%) takes another leg down after an exec confirms what Cleveland Research warned on earlier - February sales are off to a disastrous start due in part to the expiration of the payroll tax cut. No surprise, but shares of Target (TGT -2.6%) are falling hard as well. [View news story]
Wal-Mart And Costco Compared [View article]
Buy PPL For A Good Night's Sleep [View article]
Why Apple's Margins Will Continue To Decline [View article]
I'd Pay $400 For 'This Apple' [View article]
Is There An Apple Disconnect? [View article]
Apple (AAPL) has fired the manager behind the mapping software which put a cloud over the iPhone 5 release, reports Bloomberg. Maps manager Richard Williamson was let go by Senior VP Eddy Cue, who recently was put in charge of Maps and Siri amidst a management shakeup that saw the departure of iOS chief Scott Forstall. [View news story]
Apple (AAPL) announces its next-gen iMac, first introduced at its iPad Mini event, will go on sale on Nov. 30. The iMac's ultra-thin design has created some buzz, but (in a recurring theme for Apple hardware lately) it looks as if its use of cutting-edge manufacturing processes will create supply constraints. Aside from reports of display shortages, Tim Cook mentioned on Apple's FQ4 earnings call there will initially be a "significant shortage" of iMac units. Both the 21.5" and 27" models use Nvidia (NVDA) GPUs. [View news story]
Is Wal-Mart's Evil Image Deserved? [View article]