苹果市值新高离不开中国市场热销

Core Viewpoint - Apple's stock price has surged, reaching a new high since December last year, and has surpassed Microsoft to become the second-largest company by market capitalization in the U.S. This strong performance is largely driven by the robust sales of its new generation products in the Chinese market [2][3]. Group 1: Market Performance - Apple's stock had been underperforming in the S&P 500 for most of the year, even experiencing a drop of over 30% in April. The turning point came after the launch of the iPhone 17 series, which saw demand exceeding expectations and optimistic projections for the upgrade cycle [2]. - Loop Capital upgraded Apple's rating from "hold" to "buy," reflecting a positive outlook on iPhone sales [2]. Group 2: Importance of the Chinese Market - Despite calls from some U.S. politicians to "decouple" from China, the Chinese market remains irreplaceable for Apple. According to Counterpoint Research, the sales of the iPhone 17 series in the first ten days post-launch in both China and the U.S. increased by 14% compared to the iPhone 16. Notably, the basic model of the iPhone 17 nearly doubled its sales in China compared to its predecessor [3]. - Tim Cook's repeated visits to China this year underscore the company's commitment to the market, with discussions focused on business development and deepening cooperation in the electronic information sector [3]. Group 3: Broader U.S. Business Engagement with China - Apple is not alone in its engagement with the Chinese market; a delegation of over a dozen U.S. business executives visited China in July to reaffirm their commitment and plan to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and technology [4]. - The Business Environment Survey report by the U.S.-China Business Council indicated that most companies believe lacking operations in China would hinder their global competitiveness [4]. Group 4: Economic Context - China's economy has shown resilience, with a growth rate of 5.2% in the first three quarters of the year, positioning it among the top major economies globally. The total economic output is approaching 140 trillion yuan [4]. - The ongoing economic transformation and industrial upgrading in China, along with a commitment to high-level opening-up, present significant opportunities for foreign enterprises [4]. Group 5: Market Dynamics - The strong sales of the iPhone 17 in China reaffirm the market's potential and serve as a reminder to narrow-minded U.S. politicians that political maneuvering cannot override market dynamics and the pragmatic choices of businesses based on interests [5].