Advertisement
Canada markets closed

  • S&P/TSX

    21,708.44
    +52.39 (+0.24%)
     

  • S&P 500

    5,011.12
    -11.09 (-0.22%)
     

  • DOW

    37,775.38
    +22.07 (+0.06%)
     

  • CAD/USD

    0.7262
    -0.0001 (-0.02%)
     

  • CRUDE OIL

    82.61
    -0.12 (-0.15%)
     

  • Bitcoin CAD

    87,510.47
    +2,687.66 (+3.17%)
     

  • CMC Crypto 200

    1,313.31
    +427.78 (+48.32%)
     

  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,394.30
    -3.70 (-0.15%)
     

  • RUSSELL 2000

    1,942.96
    -4.99 (-0.26%)
     

  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.6470
    +0.0620 (+1.35%)
     

  • NASDAQ futures

    17,531.00
    -16.25 (-0.09%)
     

  • VOLATILITY

    18.00
    -0.21 (-1.15%)
     

  • FTSE

    7,877.05
    +29.06 (+0.37%)
     

  • NIKKEI 225

    38,079.70
    +117.90 (+0.31%)
     

  • CAD/EUR

    0.6822
    +0.0020 (+0.29%)
     

Here’s what Apple’s China nightmare scenario looks like

Michael B. Kelley
·Head of Distribution

Apple (AAPL) unexpectedly slashed its revenue forecast for the fiscal first quarter of 2019 on Wednesday, citing weakness in China and lower-than-anticipated iPhone revenue.

The move confirmed investors’ biggest fear — a slowing global economy further hindered by the U.S.-China trade war — and the stock plunged more than 8% in early trading on Thursday.

The stark acknowledgment from the premier U.S. tech company is sending reverberations throughout global markets and even led Citi to ask an existential question: “What if China Sales Went to Zero?”

A woman looks at the screen of her mobile phone in front of an Apple logo outside its store in Shanghai, China July 30, 2017. Apple’s problems in China may continue deep into 2019. (Photo: REUTERS/Aly Song)
A woman looks at the screen of her mobile phone in front of an Apple logo outside its store in Shanghai, China July 30, 2017. Apple’s problems in China may continue deep into 2019. (Photo: REUTERS/Aly Song)

Noting that China represented 18% of total sales for Apple last quarter, Citi analysts presented the nightmare scenario:

ADVERTISEMENT

“We estimate if China sales went to zero that would reduce iPhone units by -44m and approximately ~$20-$30 per share in Apple stock price,” the note stated. “While we don’t expect zero sales to occur we believe investors will value this framework and the scenario analysis in this report.”

(Chart: Yahoo Finance)
(Chart: Yahoo Finance)

Apple ended Wednesday’s session with a share price of $157.92, which was already a 30% decline from an all-time high of $227.63 on August 27. Amid Apple’s problems in China, the Dow fell more than 300 points in early trading on Thursday.

The company is expected to report results for the fiscal first quarter of 2019 after market close on January 29.

Follow Michael on Twitter.

READ MORE:

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit.