We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Apple, Applied Materials, Activision Blizzard and Applied Optoelectronics
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 01, 2017 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:(AAPL - Free Report) – Free Report), Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT – Free Report), Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI – Free Report) and Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI – Free Report).
Apple Faces Legal Battle in China Ahead of iPhone 8 Launch
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:(AAPL - Free Report) – Free Report) is facing an antitrust complaint in China. Per Reuters, local developers have accused the iPhone maker of charging exorbitant fees and removing apps from its local store without proper clarification. The complaint is now being reviewed by China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC).
Like many other U.S.-based companies, China has been a tough nut to crack for Apple as well. The country is the second largest iPhone market. However, strict regulations have often played havoc with its operations.
Per New York Times, last year, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television “asserted its authority” and shut down Apple’s iTunes Movies and iBooks services after being in operations for not even seven months.
Moreover, competition from local players such as Huawei and Oppo is also hindering growth prospects. Additionally, in a bid to promote domestic manufacturers, the Chinese government has created an increasingly challenging regulatory environment for foreign companies to operate.
Notably, in the last reported quarter, Apple revenues declined around 10% year over year in the Greater China region to $8 billion. The regulatory issues faced by the company in the region can aggravate the problem further.
However, the company remains optimistic about the long-term growth prospects of the region, especially given the hype surrounding iPhone 8, which is rumored to be launched in Sep 2017. A survey conducted by Maxim Group in May indicates a "significant pent-up demand" for iPhone 8 in China. Per Maxim Group, iPhone sales in China will increase 170% year over year to 80.7 million units in fiscal 2018.
Notably, shares of Apple have gained 40.7% year to date, slightly outperforming the industry’s 39.9% rally.
Notable Moves In China
Apple has stepped up investment in the country to woo the government in a bid to protect its business interests. The company's optimism regarding the region is further evident from its recent appointment of Isabel Ge Mahe to the newly created post of vice president and managing director of Greater China to “provide leadership and coordination across Apple’s China-based team.”
Recently, the company collaborated with local internet services companies to establish its first data center in China that will ensure compliance with the country's newly implemented cyber-security regulations.
New York Times reported last month that Apple had taken off virtual private networks (VPN) applications from its China App Store that were used to breach the Great Firewall. Last year, the company had even removed a news app by New York Times following a request by the Chinese government. Such moves from Apple definitely show its cooperation with the Chinese government with respect to Internet censorship.
Earlier last year, the company had invested $1 billion in the ride-hailing company, Didi Chuxing (DIDI). Moreover, in March, it announced plans to build two R&D centers in Shanghai and Suzhou, Jiangsu province. It established two R&D centers in Beijing and Shenzhen last year.
Long-term earnings growth rate for Applied Materials, Activision and Applied Optoelectronics is currently projected to be 17.1%, 13.6% and 17.5%, respectively.
One Simple Trading Idea
Since 1988, the Zacks system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +25% per year. With compounding, rebalancing, and exclusive of fees, it can turn thousands into millions of dollars.
This proven stock-picking system is grounded on a single big idea that can be fortune shaping and life changing. You can apply it to your portfolio starting today.
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Apple, Applied Materials, Activision Blizzard and Applied Optoelectronics
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 01, 2017 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:(AAPL - Free Report) – Free Report), Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT – Free Report), Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI – Free Report) and Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI – Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Apple Faces Legal Battle in China Ahead of iPhone 8 Launch
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:(AAPL - Free Report) – Free Report) is facing an antitrust complaint in China. Per Reuters, local developers have accused the iPhone maker of charging exorbitant fees and removing apps from its local store without proper clarification. The complaint is now being reviewed by China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC).
Like many other U.S.-based companies, China has been a tough nut to crack for Apple as well. The country is the second largest iPhone market. However, strict regulations have often played havoc with its operations.
Per New York Times, last year, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television “asserted its authority” and shut down Apple’s iTunes Movies and iBooks services after being in operations for not even seven months.
Moreover, competition from local players such as Huawei and Oppo is also hindering growth prospects. Additionally, in a bid to promote domestic manufacturers, the Chinese government has created an increasingly challenging regulatory environment for foreign companies to operate.
Notably, in the last reported quarter, Apple revenues declined around 10% year over year in the Greater China region to $8 billion. The regulatory issues faced by the company in the region can aggravate the problem further.
Apple Inc. Revenue (TTM) | Apple Inc. Quote
However, the company remains optimistic about the long-term growth prospects of the region, especially given the hype surrounding iPhone 8, which is rumored to be launched in Sep 2017. A survey conducted by Maxim Group in May indicates a "significant pent-up demand" for iPhone 8 in China. Per Maxim Group, iPhone sales in China will increase 170% year over year to 80.7 million units in fiscal 2018.
Notably, shares of Apple have gained 40.7% year to date, slightly outperforming the industry’s 39.9% rally.
Notable Moves In China
Apple has stepped up investment in the country to woo the government in a bid to protect its business interests. The company's optimism regarding the region is further evident from its recent appointment of Isabel Ge Mahe to the newly created post of vice president and managing director of Greater China to “provide leadership and coordination across Apple’s China-based team.”
Recently, the company collaborated with local internet services companies to establish its first data center in China that will ensure compliance with the country's newly implemented cyber-security regulations.
New York Times reported last month that Apple had taken off virtual private networks (VPN) applications from its China App Store that were used to breach the Great Firewall. Last year, the company had even removed a news app by New York Times following a request by the Chinese government. Such moves from Apple definitely show its cooperation with the Chinese government with respect to Internet censorship.
Earlier last year, the company had invested $1 billion in the ride-hailing company, Didi Chuxing (DIDI). Moreover, in March, it announced plans to build two R&D centers in Shanghai and Suzhou, Jiangsu province. It established two R&D centers in Beijing and Shenzhen last year.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Apple has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector include Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT – Free Report), Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI – Free Report) and Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI – Free Report), all sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Long-term earnings growth rate for Applied Materials, Activision and Applied Optoelectronics is currently projected to be 17.1%, 13.6% and 17.5%, respectively.
One Simple Trading Idea
Since 1988, the Zacks system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +25% per year. With compounding, rebalancing, and exclusive of fees, it can turn thousands into millions of dollars.
This proven stock-picking system is grounded on a single big idea that can be fortune shaping and life changing. You can apply it to your portfolio starting today.
Learn more >>
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.
Get the full Report on AAPL - FREE
Get the full Report on AMAT - FREE
Get the full Report on ATVI – FREE
Get the full Report on AAOI - FREE
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com/
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.