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Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) reported a significant rebound in iPhone sales in China, with shipments rising 52% in April from a year ago, reaching 3.495 million units. This surge follows a 12% increase in March, marking a notable recovery after a challenging start to the year that saw a 37% slump in the first two months of 2024. Apple’s stock has seen slight gains in premarket trading at the time of writing, up by over 1.5%.

iPhone Sales in China Up 52% Year Over Year

Despite fierce competition from local brands like Huawei and Honor, Apple remains the dominant foreign phone maker in China.

To maintain its market position, the company launched an aggressive discounting campaign on its official Tmall site in May, offering discounts of up to 2,300 yuan ($318) on select iPhone models. These discounts were in response to Huawei’s introduction of new high-end smartphones, which have increased competition in the market.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has forecasted iPhone sales growth in some markets, including China, despite reporting an 8.1% drop in second-quarter revenue from the Greater China region. The company’s ability to navigate the competitive landscape and adapt its pricing strategies will be crucial to its future success in the Chinese market.

Apple Stock Performance

As of May 24, 2024, Apple Inc. stock closed at $189.98, with a pre-market price of $193.68. In pre-market trading, the stock increased by $3.10 (1.66%) at the time of writing.

The company’s market capitalization, one of the largest in the world, is $2.913 trillion, and its financial highlights include revenue (TTM) of $381.62 billion, net income of $100.39 billion, and profit margin of 26.31%.

Apple’s stock performance has been driven by various factors, including the company’s strong balance sheet, with total cash of $67.15 billion and a leveraged free cash flow of $84.73 billion. Analyst ratings remain positive, with several recommendations suggesting a “Strong Buy” and an average 1-year target estimate of $203.45.

Recent news highlights, such as Warren Buffett’s sale of $21 billion in Apple stock, increased shipments in China, and ongoing AI developments and potential product launches, have also contributed to market interest in the company’s stock.

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