Apple has eliminated dozens of sales roles in a bid to streamline the way it offers products to businesses, schools and governments, marking a rare layoff for the iPhone maker. https://t.co/joBOBYcgEn ...

Apple Inc. has eliminated dozens of sales roles in a bid to streamline the way it offers products to businesses, schools and governments, marking a rare layoff for the iPhone maker. Most Read from Bloomberg Management notified the affected workers over the past couple of weeks, according to people familiar with the matter. The cuts extended across the sales organization — hitting some teams especially hard — though the company didn’t tell employees how many roles were involved. The affected jobs include ...

Core Insights - Apple's iPhone 17 series has seen a significant increase in sales in China, with October sales rising 37% year over year, despite a 4% decline in Greater China's net sales for fiscal 2025 [1][9] - The updated iPhone portfolio is expected to enhance overall iPhone sales, which are projected to reach $209.59 billion for fiscal 2025, accounting for approximately half of total sales [2] - Apple's Services and Mac businesses are also contributing positively to sales in China, with record Services sales reported for the September quarter [3] iPhone Sales Performance - iPhone sales for fiscal 2025 are expected to grow by 4.2% compared to fiscal 2024, reversing the flat growth seen in 2024 and the 2% decline in 2023 [2] - The company anticipates double-digit growth in iPhone sales for the December quarter, driven by new features in Apple Intelligence [4][9] Competitive Landscape - Apple is facing intense competition in the AI sector from companies like Alphabet and Microsoft, which are making significant advancements in AI integration and cloud solutions [5] - Microsoft's AI business has achieved a remarkable annual revenue run rate of over $13 billion, showcasing its strong position in the technology sector [6] Financial Performance and Valuation - Apple shares have returned 16.5% year to date, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector, which has returned 23.8% [7][8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is projected at $8.16 per share, indicating a 9.38% growth from fiscal 2025 [12] - Apple's stock is currently trading at a forward price/earnings ratio of 32.72X, which is higher than the sector average of 27.66X, suggesting it may be overvalued [14]

At one point, Apple accounted for more than half of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway’s entire investment portfolio. However, management has been trimming that position to free up cash and redirect capital into other businesses. Berkshire continued this trend in the third quarter, according to the company’s latest 13-F filing. The report, released in mid-November, outlined the firm’s equity holdings in U.S.-listed securities as of Sept. 30.Shares of the iPhone maker have gained 9% on a year-to-date (YTD) ...

Market Overview - The market is experiencing volatility with major indices showing mixed movements, including the Dow up about 0.21%, Nasdaq up about 1%, and S&P 500 up about 0.61% [1] - Bitcoin has seen a significant decline, down approximately 24% over the last two months, with a recent drop of about 6% in the past week [1][3] - The total capitalization of the crypto market has fallen by about 24% since its October peak, equating to over $1 trillion in value lost [1] Consumer Spending and Retail - The National Retail Federation anticipates that consumers will spend over $1 trillion this holiday season, marking a strong consumer sentiment [2] - Recent retail earnings reports have shown mixed results, with companies like Gap and TJ Maxx performing well, while Home Depot's results were less favorable [2] - High-income consumers are driving spending, while low-income consumers remain under pressure [2] AI and Technology Sector - Goldman Sachs suggests that the narrative around AI capital expenditures (capex) is crucial for market stability, with expectations of continued growth in technology demand [2][3] - Nvidia's recent performance is seen as a key indicator for the tech sector, with any weakness potentially impacting broader market sentiment [2][3] Cryptocurrency Insights - Institutional investors are currently sidelined, with Bitcoin ETF outflows reaching $3.5 billion in November, the largest since February [4] - The correlation between Bitcoin and the NASDAQ suggests that stabilization in crypto prices may be necessary for broader market recovery [5][6] - Analysts express caution regarding a V-shaped recovery for Bitcoin, citing the need for more dovish Fed commentary and institutional participation [4][5] Company-Specific Developments - Moderna has faced significant stock price declines, down 43% this year, and is currently the most shorted stock in the S&P 500, with 20% of shares shorted [28][30] - Pfizer is diversifying its business into weight loss drugs and other areas, contrasting with Moderna's struggles to adapt post-COVID vaccine demand [29][30] - Analysts highlight the need for Moderna to diversify its product offerings beyond COVID vaccines to regain investor confidence [31][35]

Group 1 - The Nasdaq 100 index's annual reconstitution is approaching, with market valuations at the end of the week determining changes, indicating that the outcome is nearly set [1] - Walmart has announced it will move its listing to the Nasdaq, which is expected to lead to its inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 [1] - The stock market has shown a rally, particularly with the Dow Jones index performing well, despite overall weekly losses [2] Group 2 - The stock market experienced a downturn influenced by Nvidia and Bitcoin, while Walmart and Google showed strength [4] - Nvidia's earnings have contributed to a boost in tech optimism, suggesting that the tech sector may not be advisable to short at this time [4] - Mixed results from NetEase's third-quarter performance have led to fluctuations in its stock [4]

Group 1: Huawei's New Product Launch - Huawei will hold a product launch event on November 25, featuring the Mate 80 series, Mate X7, and various new products [1] - The Mate 80 Pro Max is expected to debut, indicating significant upgrades in performance, imaging, innovative technology, and smart experience [1] Group 2: Foldable Smartphone Market - Huawei continues to lead the foldable smartphone market with nearly 70% market share, as reported by IDC, with shipments reaching 2.63 million units in Q3 2025, a year-on-year increase of 17.8% [1] - TrendForce forecasts that global foldable smartphone shipments will grow to 70 million units by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate exceeding 40% [1] Group 3: Company Information - ShuoBeide is identified as a core supplier of mobile phone antennas [1]

Core Insights - The "Million Talents Gather in South Guangdong" recruitment event successfully attracted approximately 9,300 students and collected 14,194 resumes, resulting in 922 initial job offers and 42 signed contracts, showcasing strong employment opportunities for youth in Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions [1][3] Group 1: Recruitment Event Overview - The recruitment event took place at Zhejiang University and Ningbo University, organized by Dongguan and Shaoguan, featuring participation from 2,862 employers offering a total of 58,000 job positions [1] - The event was characterized by high demand, with many companies reporting an overwhelming number of resumes and some even increasing their job openings on-site [2] - The Zhejiang University event involved over 430 quality employers, aligning with Guangdong's strategic industry needs, particularly in fields like computer science and artificial intelligence [2] Group 2: Job Opportunities and Services - Among the 9,567 positions offered at Zhejiang University, 40% required a master's degree or higher, with 2,220 positions offering salaries above 200,000 yuan and 207 positions above 500,000 yuan, including four positions with annual salaries reaching one million yuan [2] - The event provided various support services such as AI mock interviews, resume diagnostics, and policy consultations, enhancing the job-seeking experience for students [3] Group 3: Long-term Collaboration Initiatives - The event emphasized the establishment of sustainable cooperation mechanisms between universities and local governments, with eight collaborative projects signed, focusing on talent cultivation and research commercialization [4] - Agreements included partnerships for talent workstations and engineer training programs, indicating a shift from one-time recruitment to ongoing collaboration [5] - A symposium involving employment leaders from 14 Zhejiang universities facilitated discussions on professional alignment and talent development, further promoting industry-academic partnerships [5]

Core Insights - The Honor 500 series has been officially launched, featuring significant upgrades in "imaging, performance, battery life, appearance, and experience," aiming to redefine industry standards [1] Group 1: Product Features - The Honor 500 series includes two versions: Honor 500 Super Standard Edition and Honor 500 Super Pro Edition [1] - The series features a 1/1.4-inch large sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, with the Pro version offering a 50MP dual-stabilized telephoto lens [1] - The imaging experience includes industry-first front and rear Live portrait capabilities, enhancing live shooting scenarios with effects like background blur and beautification [1] Group 2: Performance and Battery - The Super Standard Edition is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen4 chip, while the Super Pro Edition uses the Snapdragon 8 Supreme chip, providing high computational power for demanding gaming scenarios [2] - The series boasts an 8000mAh battery, setting a new record for battery capacity in its category [2] - It supports 27W wired reverse charging, allowing it to charge other devices like iPhones, and features 80W wired fast charging for the Standard Edition and a combination of 80W wired and 50W wireless fast charging for the Pro Edition [2] Group 3: Communication and Software - The Honor 500 series introduces four campus network optimizations, enabling features like automatic network switching and data usage reminders [3] - The Pro version includes the self-developed HONOR C1+ RF enhancement chip, improving communication stability in congested and weak network environments [3] - The series runs on the new MagicOS 10 operating system, featuring a unique AI key for quick access to frequently used functions [3]

Core Viewpoint - The "Magnificent Seven" stocks, including Apple, have outperformed the S&P 500 over the last three years, but future performance is uncertain [1] Group 1: Apple’s Performance - Apple has shown signs of improvement, recovering from a 20% decline year-to-date just five months ago [4] - Revenue and earnings growth are improving, with an operating margin at its highest level in a decade at 32% [5] - Product sales increased by 4.1% and services grew by 13.5% for the 12 months ended September 27, 2025 [5] Group 2: Revenue Composition - Services, which are higher-margin, accounted for 26.2% of total sales in fiscal 2025, surpassing the combined sales of Mac, iPad, wearables, home, and accessories at 23.4% [6] - Services are now the second-largest revenue driver behind the iPhone [6] Group 3: Stock Buybacks and Valuation - Apple accelerated earnings growth through stock buybacks, spending $90.7 billion on repurchases in fiscal 2025 [7] - The company’s valuation has shifted from reasonably priced to potentially overvalued due to its low to moderate growth [8][9] Group 4: Future Potential - Apple is viewed as a reliable, high-margin company with moderate growth potential, especially in monetizing AI through its devices [10] - Easing trade tensions could enhance profits, particularly in China, which is its second-largest market [10]