Another Sign of a Big Apple Launch: Suppliers Post Record Sales
Preliminary sales data for a group of component suppliers that generate 50 percent to 60 percent of their revenue from Apple rose by an estimated 14 percent month over month in July, according to Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White. That’s almost double the average sales increase of 8.5 percent that those suppliers have posted over the past seven years, and the strongest July on record for the group.
Largan Precision, for example, saw its sales rise by 21 percent month over month in July. Genius Electronic Optical, another Apple supplier, saw its sales spike almost as much: 19.7 percent.
Great news for Apple’s upstream supply chain, which had a mediocre June. More to the point, it’s likely indicative of a big manufacturing ramp-up for a fall Apple product launch that may include the next-generation iPhone, along with a rumored iPad mini. As AllThingsD reported last month, Apple is currently planning an event for the week of Sept. 9, with Wednesday the 12th being the likely date.
“The evidence of new products ramping into the September time frame for Apple continues to mount, setting up what we believe will be the biggest second-half product launch in Apple’s history,” White said in a note to clients. “With the iPhone 5 launch and ‘iPad Mini’ on the horizon, along with the potential for an Apple TV in the coming quarters, we believe Apple’s stock is prepared for the next major leg up that could propel Apple to our $1,111 price target over the next year.”
(Image courtesy of Ciccarese Design)