The Zacks Research Daily highlights our analysts' greatest research. AAPL, Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), and Intel Corp. (INTC) are among 16 major stocks with new research reports in today's Research Daily. Our analysis team selected these research reports from 70 published today.
Over the past year, Apple shares outperformed the Zacks Computer - Mini computers industry (+24.5% vs. +24.0%). Despite fierce competition and difficulties in China, iPhone sales are constant. The March quarter's revenues and iPhone revenues should be similar to the year-ago quarter's after eliminating the $5 billion from pent-up demand for iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Poor FX is predicted to reduce revenues by 2% annually. Like the December quarter, Apple predicts double-digit growth in Services. Strong programming drives Apple TV+ adoption. Good news: Apple is gaining PC market share. Apple has a high cash balance and dividend and share repurchase policies that benefit shareholders. However, legal complexity has hindered growth.
Compared to the Zacks Internet - Software industry, Meta Platforms shares have outperformed (+181.1%). The company has continuous user growth worldwide, especially in Asia Pacific. Growth has come from Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook activity.
AI-recommended Reels content is generating Instagram and Facebook traffic for Meta Platforms. Prospects may benefit from Threads, Reels, Llama 2, Ray-Ban Meta smart glass, and Quest 3 mixed reality device. Growing adoption helped Reels perform well on Instagram and Facebook.
In the fourth quarter, Reels were reshared 3.5 billion times daily. However, macroeconomic difficulties continue to hurt Meta's advertising revenue. Reels' slow monetization and Reality Labs' rising losses are concerns.
Intel shares gained 65.9% last year compared to the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry's +163.3%. Under its IDM 2.0 strategy, the corporation is building an advanced semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem and expanding global production.
It continues its 5N4Y (five nodes in four years) program to recover transistor and power performance supremacy by 2025. Intel launched data center and PC AI chips to strengthen its position in the vast AI market and ubiquitous edge environment.
However, weak demand and slow Chinese recovery are hurting revenues. Margin pressure comes from macroeconomic issues, inventory adjustments, and market volatility. Competition in the server, storage, and networking businesses has limited its long-term growth. Intel has given modest first-quarter 2024 guidance.
stay turned for development