Apple Inc slashed its sales outlook after the market closed, sending equity index futures tumbling in afterhours activity. Apple's stock dropped 8 percent in extended trading after the news, while shares of its suppliers also weakened and S&P 500 e-mini futures slid around 0.5 percent, signaling that Wednesday's modest advance was likely to be unwound when the market reopens on Thursday.
NEW York: Apple Inc on Wednesday cut its current quarter revenue forecast, citing fewer iPhone upgrades and weak sales in China.
The company forecast $84 billion in revenue for the first quarter, which is below analysts' estimate of $91.5 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.
Apple originally forecast a revenue of between $89 billion and $93 billion for the current quarter.
"While we anticipated some challenges in key emerging markets, we did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China," Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said in a letter to investors.
"In fact, most of our revenue shortfall to our guidance, and over 100 percent of our year-over-year worldwide revenue decline, occurred in Greater China across iPhone, Mac and iPad."
A slew of brokerages had reduced their first-quarter production estimates for iPhones after several component makers forecast weaker-than-expected sales, leading some market watchers to call the peak for iPhones in several key markets.
Apple shares, which were halted prior to the news, closed marginally up at $157.92. - Reuters
