On the last trading day of 2014,
Apple is the leading Dow decliner today as well and will finish 2015 lagging both the Dow and the broad-based tech ETF (XLK) both.
Apple is set to exit 2015 the same way it exited 2014, on a losing note.
Hopefully, the loser theme does not carry through all of 2016 like it did all through 2015.
Of course, after Apple reported December quarter (2014) numbers in late January of 2015, the shares did make new all-time highs in February 2015.
I think this time around the shares will be hard pressed to do so, unless the company not only blows away December quarter estimates but also guides meaningfully higher for the March quarter.
Both of those seem a Herculean if not impossible task for Apple to repeat again this January/February time frame.
Incidentally, Apple started out 2015 on a losing note as well, opening on January 2, 2015 at $111.39 per share and closing the first trading day of the year at $109.33 per share, down 1.8%.
Let's hope for all our (shareholders) sakes, Apple has a far better 2016 than it did in 2015, at least as far as share price performance is concerned.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Apple will indeed have a far better 2016 and I will outline my rationale shortly for all of you to read.
With that, I wish all of you and your loved ones a Very Happy New Year and a fabulous 2016 filled with all the success in the world.
May your trades always be in your favor.
(Long aapl, long and short apple options)
