Will Apple Inc. iPhone Sales Drop For The Third Straight Quarter?

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Apple might report depleting iPhone sales for the third straight quarter following the trend of the previous two quarters, according to CNBC. Total iPhone shipments could be around 44.8 million, lower than 48.04 million a year ago, according to analysts surveyed by StreetAccount.

 Will the iPhone 7 help Apple?

Shareholders and analysts are interested in knowing whether the rigorous carrier promotions and Samsung’s exploding battery fiasco will boost iPhone sales. Investors will be keenly watching the commentary and guidance to analyze if the company can stay ahead of the competition with the help of the iPhone 7. Much will also depend on the apps that are seen as a new potential source of revenue growth and upgrades.

According to eMarketer’s estimates, the iPhone’s market share has increased to 43.5% in the U.S. from 43.3% last year. Suhail Doshi, CEO of analytics firm Mixpanel, told CNBC’s Squawk Alley that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will form a 10% share of the global iPhone demand.

According to the analysts, it remains to be seen if the iPhone 7 can bring some relief. iPhone 7 sales will not be a major part of Apple’s earning report on Tuesday, as the phone was launched in September and supply has been constrained since then, notes Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster.

Apple is expected to report earnings of $1.65 per share, down from $1.96 per share in the fiscal fourth quarter. The company is expected to post revenue of around $46.9 billion, down from $51.5 billion last year, according to CNBC.

Will Samsung’s loss be Apple’s gain?

Analysts estimate that the Note 7’s overheating and exploding batteries will cost Samsung more than $5 billion. In August when the Note 7 was launched, it was seen as a fierce competitor for Apple. The phone garnered sparkling sales. However, the success was short-lived as reports about the device exploding and catching fire started surfacing from every corner of the world.

Angelo Zino, an equity analyst at CFRA Research, notes that Samsung’s issues are a positive for Apple and expects the iPhone to garner an additional 1% of the total smartphone market, which would be 14 million to 15 million iPhones. Zino estimates that the iPhone will contribute 62% of the company’s total revenue in the September quarter. BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis noted that Apple will benefit from an extra week in the September quarter.

On Monday, Apple shares closed up 0.9% at $117.65. Year to date, the stock is up almost 10%, while in the last year, it is down more than 1%.

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