Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
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Apple Blames Currency Fluctuations and Uncertainty in Emerging Countries for Weak Holiday Sales Estimates
Though iPhone revenue was up in 4Q 2018, fourth quarter iPhone XS and XS Max sales were not as strong as expected, and iPhone sales growth was essentially flat. Apple sold 46.9 million iPhones during the quarter, compared to 46.7 million in the year-ago quarter, missing analyst estimates.
Apple's $89 to $93 billion revenue forecast for the first fiscal quarter of 2019 is rather also cautious, which Apple blamed on foreign exchange costs, issues with supply/demand balance, and weakness in emerging markets.
"Virtually every foreign currency has depreciated against the dollar over the last 12 months," said Apple CFO Luca Maestri. "That adds 200 basis points of headwinds to the tune of $2 billion to our revenue."
Uncertainty in emerging markets is also a factor. "There's some level of uncertainty at the macroeconomic model in some emerging countries where consumer confidence is not as high," said Maestri.
Maestri also said that Apple has launched an "unprecedented number" of new products over the course of the last six weeks, and Apple has "some uncertainty" around supply/demand balance for some of these products. The launch timing of the new iPhones is also a factor, with the iPhone XR coming later than the XS and the XS Max. This had an effect on Apple's Q4 revenue and will also impact Q1.
Despite the cautious guidance for the first fiscal quarter of 2018, Apple is "very excited" about its lineup of products and services entering the holiday shopping season, and Maestri said that Apple has the "strongest lineup" it's ever had.
Going forward, Apple does not plan to break down unit sales of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, a major change to the way that earnings data is presented. Apple will, however, continue to provide details on overall iPhone, iPad, and Mac revenue.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple CFO Luca Maestri explained during today's earnings call that Apple does not believe that providing unit sales is relevant for the company at this point.
Apple's $89 to $93 billion revenue forecast for the first fiscal quarter of 2019 is rather also cautious, which Apple blamed on foreign exchange costs, issues with supply/demand balance, and weakness in emerging markets.
"Virtually every foreign currency has depreciated against the dollar over the last 12 months," said Apple CFO Luca Maestri. "That adds 200 basis points of headwinds to the tune of $2 billion to our revenue."
Uncertainty in emerging markets is also a factor. "There's some level of uncertainty at the macroeconomic model in some emerging countries where consumer confidence is not as high," said Maestri.
Maestri also said that Apple has launched an "unprecedented number" of new products over the course of the last six weeks, and Apple has "some uncertainty" around supply/demand balance for some of these products. The launch timing of the new iPhones is also a factor, with the iPhone XR coming later than the XS and the XS Max. This had an effect on Apple's Q4 revenue and will also impact Q1.
Despite the cautious guidance for the first fiscal quarter of 2018, Apple is "very excited" about its lineup of products and services entering the holiday shopping season, and Maestri said that Apple has the "strongest lineup" it's ever had.
Going forward, Apple does not plan to break down unit sales of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, a major change to the way that earnings data is presented. Apple will, however, continue to provide details on overall iPhone, iPad, and Mac revenue.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple CFO Luca Maestri explained during today's earnings call that Apple does not believe that providing unit sales is relevant for the company at this point.
Tag: earnings
[ 187 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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12 months ago
Maybe they should look in their own backyard and ask if they've overpriced the phones to over glory?
12 months ago
There will come a time when overpricing products won’t be enough to keep revenue going up and offset the decrease in sold units... I think they deserve it. Greed is never good.
12 months ago
I never complained too much about apple pricing as I clearly saw value in their product. but now even I have to say that I am reluctant to pay the premium for their lineup. I feel like price/value ratio increased to the point that it is not worth the asking price any more. And that come from person with significant disposable income and fully submerged in Apple ecosystem...
12 months ago
I never complained too much about apple pricing as I clearly saw value in their product. but now even I have to say that I am reluctant to pay the premium for their lineup. I feel like price/value ratio increased to the point that it is not worth the asking price any more. And that come from person with significant disposable income and fully submerged in Apple ecosystem...
It really has gone up way too much.
12 months ago
All of the main products (iPhone, iPad Pro, Apple Watch, MacBook Air) going up in price this year has nothing to do with this.
12 months ago
No people are not upgrading their phones like they use to plain and simple. Phones are way over priced and people are wising up before forking over that kind of money.
12 months ago
I think that Apple revenue peaked this year. Apple gained some momentum in recent years and the hype is still here, but the insane prices are gonna slow the sales. If you look at current product line, there is not a single new product that is really worth it's price. I don't say those are not good products, I like the new iPads, MBA, iPhones, but we went from premium prices to extra-premium prices. MBA should start at $999 (retina displays are here for like 6 years, touchid for like 4 years), iPad Pro at $649 (FaceID is cheaper now, displays are nice but nothing exceptional), MBP at $1299 etc. I can't remember when was the last time Apple released new tech and kept the prices at the same level. Of course, in 2008 MBA was quite expensive, but they were lowering the price every year and making in faster every year. They should have done it with 12" Macbook, but they didn’t. I'm really curious how this will turn out. My collegues (designers, developers) are getting quite suprised how much it will cost for them to upgrade their Apple stuff.
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