Space Industry and Business News
INTERNET SPACE
Apple profit ebbs as iPhone sales under pressure
Apple profit ebbs as iPhone sales under pressure
By Glenn CHAPMAN
San Francisco (AFP) May 2, 2024

Apple on Thursday said its quarterly profit ebbed but topped market forecasts as it announced an unprecedented $110 billion share buyback.

The iPhone maker reported a profit of $23.6 billion on $90.8 billion in revenue in the first three months of this year.

"Given our confidence in Apple's future and the value we see in our stock, our Board has authorized an additional $110 billion for share repurchases," chief financial officer Luca Maestri said in the earnings release.

Shares were up nearly 6 percent to $183.20 in after-market trading, buoyed by the epic buyback program.

Apple took in a record high amount from digital goods and services sold to fans of the iPhone-maker's gadgets, chief executive Tim Cook said in an earnings release.

As expected, iPhone sales dropped with pressure growing from China and increased competition from Huawei.

The Silicon Valley giant reported $45.7 billion in revenue from iPhone sales, its main money maker, versus $51.3 billion in the same period a year earlier, a ten percent drop.

In the key Greater China market, sales of iPhones shrank to $16.4 billion from $17.8 billion in a year-over-year comparison, earnings figures showed.

"It's been a tough year for Apple, no longer the world's most valuable company nor the top smartphone provider," Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne said in a note to investors.

"Waning iPhone demand in China has notably dented revenues."

Tech giant Huawei recently reported that its first-quarter profits surged over fivefold year-on-year, as the US-sanctioned firm continues to bite into competitor Apple's sales.

"Apple's sales were subdued during the quarter as Huawei's comeback has directly impacted Apple in the premium segment," Counterpoint senior research analyst Ivan Lam said.

In another setback for the iPhone, Samsung regained its position as the top smartphone seller worldwide in the first quarter of this year, according to industry tracker International Data Corporation.

Cook said he remains very optimistic about the China market, noting iPhones were top sellers in urban areas and his recent visit to open an Apple store in Shanghai was "fantastic."

"I maintain a great view of China in the long term," Cook said.

Apple's sales decline in China was less than feared, and the company appears to be holding up better than expected there, according to CFRA senior equity analyst Angelo Zino.

- No Vision Pro impact -

As competitive pressure mounts on the iPhone, the Silicon Valley tech giant continues a push to ramp up revenue from services and digital content sold to fans of its devices.

But that move faces a threat from regulators and app makers who accuse Apple of essentially having a monopoly due to its tight control of the App Store and gadget operating software.

The US Department of Justice is suing Apple, accusing the company of illegally maintaining a monopoly for its iPhone by stifling competition and imposing exorbitant costs on consumers.

Apple said the suit was "wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it."

The EU is, meanwhile, is probing whether the App Store is allowing developers to show consumers offers, free of charge, outside of those app marketplaces.

Apple is also under pressure not to be left behind when it comes to incorporating artificial intelligence into its offerings.

Apple has said little about the technology, which rivals Google and Microsoft have been aggressively developing.

"We see generative AI as a very key opportunity across our products," Cook said.

"We'll be talking more about it as we go through the the weeks ahead."

An Apple event next week is expected to spotlight new iPads, and software innovation news will be the focus of an annual WWDC developers conference in June.

"WWDC announcements could dispel concerns over Apple's AI strategy," analyst Bourne said.

Meanwhile, the recently launched Vision Pro "spacial reality" headgear and new MacBook Air laptop models are not likely to have "any impact at all on the company's bottom line anytime soon," Forrester principal analyst Thomas Husson said in a note to investors.

Related Links
Satellite-based Internet technologies

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
INTERNET SPACE
HRW blasts US use of mobile app for asylum seekers
Washington (AFP) May 1, 2024
A US requirement for asylum seekers to apply for an appointment online before crossing the border from Mexico leaves migrants vulnerable to cartel violence, the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Wednesday. Under the policy, all asylum seekers - except unaccompanied minors - are required to sign up for an appointment with Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) via a mobile phone app or to have had their asylum request denied by another country before trying to cross the US-Mexico border. Otherwise, a ... read more

INTERNET SPACE
Microsoft announces $2.2 bn AI, cloud investment in Malaysia

Microsoft CEO pledges $1.7 bn AI, cloud investment in Indonesia

Production of minerals for clean energy is insufficient: UN

Exploring the Causes of Structural Failures Due to Buckling

INTERNET SPACE
Enhancing connectivity and readiness at Space Systems Command

Kratos and SES showcase new virtualized SATCOM system for US Army

Troposcatter Technology by Ultra I&C enhances global defense networks

ATLAS Integrates DoD antenna into Hybrid Space Architecture

INTERNET SPACE
INTERNET SPACE
Finnair suspends flights to Estonian city over Russian GPS interference

Exploring the marvels of Galileo: Europe's satellite navigation system

TrustPoint Secures AFWERX Phase II Contract for Advanced Navigation Solutions

GMV Spearheads ESA's Mission to Revolutionize Satellite Navigation with LEO Technology

INTERNET SPACE
NASA uses small engine to enhance sustainable jet research

Croatia gets French fighter jets in major arms purchase

Airbus net profit soars 28% in first quarter

Electrifying flight: RTX's new lab tests advanced propulsion technologies

INTERNET SPACE
Terahertz pulses used to excite phonons in semiconductor materials

Flexible thin-film electronics could transform chip design

SK Hynix says high-end AI memory chips almost sold out through 2025

Refining entanglement dynamics in superconducting qubit arrays at MIT

INTERNET SPACE
Satellogic unveils expansive high-resolution image dataset for AI training

Spire Global to supply AI-Enhanced Weather Predictions to Financial Sector

NASA's ORCA, AirHARP Projects Paved Way for PACE to Reach Space

Oldest evidence of Earth's magnetic field discovered by researchers

INTERNET SPACE
Health Risks from Gas Stoves Highlighted in U.S. Study

Plastic pollution talks move closer to world-first pact

G7 to target fashion's climate footprint: French minister

G7 to commit to reducing plastic production: French ministry

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.