Apple shares rose 3.14% in after-market trading on January 30, 2025, following the company’s forecast of higher sales than analysts expected. This positive outlook suggests a potential recovery in iPhone sales as Apple integrates new artificial intelligence features into its products.
- Apple shares rose after positive sales forecast
- iPhone sales expected to recover with AI features
- China revenue declined due to competition
- Mac and iPad sales exceeded analyst expectations
- Services business grew significantly year-over-year
- Apple Intelligence rollout faces regulatory delays
Apple’s recent forecast indicates that sales for the current quarter are expected to rise in the low- to mid-single-digit range. This projection comes after a fiscal first quarter where total sales reached $124.30 billion, slightly above the $124.12 billion expected by analysts. The company’s earnings per share also exceeded expectations at $2.40, compared to the consensus target of $2.35.
Key financial highlights include:
- iPhone sales for the last quarter were $69.14 billion, below the expected $71.03 billion.
- Greater China sales dropped to $18.51 billion, falling short of both last year’s $20.82 billion and analyst expectations of $21.33 billion.
- Sales from iPads and Macs were stronger, contributing to overall profit despite challenges in the iPhone segment.
Apple’s Chief Financial Officer, Kevan Parekh, indicated that gross margins for the current quarter are projected between 46.5% and 47.5%, surpassing analyst estimates. CEO Tim Cook noted that the rollout of AI features, branded as Apple Intelligence, is positively impacting sales, particularly in markets where these features are available. However, the company has yet to establish a local partner in China for these features, which may affect future sales in that region.
In summary, Apple’s optimistic sales forecast and the introduction of AI features signal potential recovery in iPhone sales, despite recent challenges in key markets. The company’s diversified product lineup and strong performance in other segments may help offset the decline in iPhone revenue.