Apple is “well positioned” to top average analyst estimates for the September quarter, according to Evercore ISI analysts. The analysts issued a tactical call on Apple as they see the Cupertino-based titan benefiting from the iPhone 14 outperformance.
In addition to the FQ4 beat, the analysts also see potential for Apple to deliver a “modest upside on the Dec-qtr guide depending on the assumptions they embed around FX and the extra week.”
The key factor that the current Street models may be missing is a boost Apple’s financials may get from the higher average selling prices (ASPs).
“We expect strong iPhone results despite the Bloomberg story about production cuts and we would note that Bloomberg ran essentially the same story one year ago and Apple went on to deliver 15% iPhone revenue growth over the next three quarters. Our survey work and delivery tracker point to solid demand with the potential for notable ASP upside that could be in the low double digits,” they wrote to clients in a note.
In addition to higher ASPs, the analysts could also see Apple gain a unit sales boost from “continued share gains in China and the enterprise market.”
As far as the Services slowdown is concerned, they added:
“The slowdown has been a headwind all year and we think Apple adequately accounted for it in their guidance, so we see Services revenue decelerating to ~9% vs. buyside which we think is anchored more mid-to-low single digits,” the analysts concluded.