BofA Securities has maintained its Buy rating on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) with a steady price target of $256.
The firm anticipates the launch of the iPhone 16 lineup, including a new feature named Apple Intelligence, during Apple's event titled "It's Glowtime," set for September 9th at 1 PM ET.
BofA Securities projects the introduction of this lineup and the rollout of Apple Intelligence, initially in the US and subsequently in other regions, will kickstart a software-driven multi-year upgrade cycle.
The firm models sales of 241 million iPhones for fiscal year 2025, marking an 8% year-over-year increase, and 257 million for fiscal year 2026, a 7% year-over-year rise.
BofA Securities suggests that carrier promotions could influence iPhone sales and anticipates a level of promotions at least equal to that of the previous year. If the iPhone 16 commences shipping on September 20th, this would result in nine shipping days in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2024, aligning with the previous year's schedule.
In other recent news, Piper Sandler has maintained a neutral rating on Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL), anticipating the iPhone 16 launch, while Evercore ISI and Bernstein SocGen Group uphold an outperform rating, buoyed by a 12% revenue increase in Apple's App Store and a projected 13% year-over-year growth in iPhone revenue respectively.
These ratings come as Apple prepares to launch the iPhone 16, with analysts keen on the potential of Apple Intelligence and its integration across iOS applications.
In recent developments, Apple has partnered with Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest telecom operator, to expand its services in India. This strategic move is expected to boost Apple's service revenue and user base in the region. Concurrently, Apple is reportedly in discussions to invest in OpenAI, potentially valuing the AI firm at over $100 billion.
InvestingPro Insights
As Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) gears up for the launch of its iPhone 16 lineup, BofA Securities has expressed a strong conviction in the company's growth trajectory. Complementing this outlook, InvestingPro data indicates that Apple has a robust market capitalization of $3.36 trillion, underscoring its heavyweight status in the market. The company's P/E ratio stands at 33.4, suggesting a premium valuation that investors are willing to pay for its earnings potential. Moreover, with a gross profit margin of 45.96% over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, Apple demonstrates its ability to maintain profitability and operational efficiency.
Among the InvestingPro Tips, it is noteworthy that Apple has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years, showcasing a commitment to returning value to shareholders. Additionally, analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, reflecting a consensus belief in the company's continued financial success. For investors seeking deeper insights, there are 15 additional InvestingPro Tips available, which provide a comprehensive analysis of Apple's financial health and market position.
These metrics and insights from InvestingPro are particularly relevant as they offer a financial perspective that aligns with BofA Securities' positive stance on Apple's innovative strategies and product launches. The data not only reflects the company's current financial standing but also underscores the analysts' optimism about its future performance.
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