On Wednesday, Goldman Sachs reiterated its Buy rating on Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) with a steadfast price target of $265. The firm's analysis suggests a neutral to positive outlook for iPhone demand, based on recent US wireless carrier reports. Specifically, the current low upgrade rates for post-paid plans are projected to normalize and potentially increase towards late 2024 and into 2025.
Verizon (NYSE:VZ), with analysis coverage by Jim Schneider, disclosed a record-low 2.8% retail postpaid quarterly upgrade rate in the second quarter of 2024, which included a 2.4% rate in the business sector and 2.9% among consumers. AT&T mirrored this trend, also recording a low 2.9% upgrade rate. Verizon has adopted a disciplined promotional strategy for the upcoming iPhone cycle, while AT&T anticipates ramping up its marketing expenditures in the third quarter of 2024 and expects a return to more regular wireless market conditions, including upgrade rates, in the second half of the year.
The competition in the US wireless market is intensifying, particularly from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) like Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA), which is also rated as a Buy. Comcast plans to capitalize on consumer smartphone upgrade opportunities through its trade-in programs, competitive pricing, and handset offers. The company aims to leverage the Summer Olympics, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock, to promote its mobile and broadband services.
Goldman Sachs' perspective is informed by the carriers' approaches to managing their promotional activities and marketing investments. With Verizon focusing on a disciplined promotional approach and AT&T preparing for increased marketing spending, there is an expectation of a more vibrant iPhone upgrade cycle in the near future. Comcast's strategy to engage customers during a major sporting event further supports the anticipation of a positive impact on iPhone sales.
In other recent news, Barclays has raised its 2024 projection for the S&P 500 index to 5,600, up from 5,300, due to anticipated sustained profit growth among large technology companies. The financial institution has also increased its 2024 earnings per share forecast for these firms to $241, reflecting confidence in the valuation of big technology companies. Meanwhile, Bernstein has reaffirmed its positive stance on Apple Inc., maintaining an Outperform rating and a price target of $240.00, with investor attention shifting towards the upcoming iPhone 16 release and fiscal year 2025.
G20 finance ministers are discussing the advancement of a global tax agreement, "Pillar 1," aiming to replace individual digital services taxes on major U.S. technology companies with a system that redistributes taxing rights among global firms. The discussions are a focal point at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, where finalizing the international tax deal is a priority. The U.S. Treasury has urged all involved parties to conclude the Pillar 1 discussions swiftly.
The U.S. stock index futures experienced an uptick following President Joe Biden's decision not to seek re-election, causing investors to reassess the electoral landscape. This has led to a rise in megacap stocks, including Apple. Investors are also looking forward to the upcoming earnings reports from major technology companies, such as Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), which are expected to provide insight into the recent performance of high-momentum stocks.
InvestingPro Insights
As Goldman Sachs maintains a bullish stance on Apple with a $265 price target, current InvestingPro data underscores the financial robustness of the tech giant. Apple's market capitalization remains a towering $3.34 trillion, reflecting its significant presence in the market. With a P/E ratio of 33.82 and a slightly lower P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 at 33.38, the company is trading at a premium, which is indicative of investor confidence in its future growth potential. Additionally, the company has demonstrated a strong return over the last three months, with a 33.31% price total return, suggesting robust investor sentiment.
Two key InvestingPro Tips that align with the article's focus on Apple's future prospects include the company's impressive track record of raising its dividend for 12 consecutive years and its status as a prominent player in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. These attributes may reassure investors of Apple's stability and dominant market position, even as it faces fluctuating upgrade rates in the wireless carrier space.
For readers interested in a deeper dive into Apple's financial health and future outlook, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/AAPL. As an added incentive, users can take advantage of a special offer using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, unlocking further valuable insights.
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