Apple Reportedly Readying Faster iPads
As the work-from-home trend continues around the world.
As the work-from-home trend continues around the world.
Working from home has been an enduring trend from the Covid-19 pandemic and technology giant Apple may be ready to capitalise on that further.
According to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, the company is aiming to spruce up its current iPad Pro models, with better cameras and faster processors. Those models—11-inch and 12.9-inch—could be making their debut as soon as April, the report said.
A spokesperson from Apple could not immediately be reached for comment.
Newer features may include a Mini-LED screen and faster processors, comparable to the M1 chip powering the newest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini. The company launched that new line of Macs last November, marking the first time the Apple-designed M1 chips were used.
Critics raved about those new MacBooks, saying they outperformed pricier Macs powered by Intel chips.
The work/school-from-home trends emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic have proven lucrative for the company. Apple posted a stunning quarter in late January, with double-digit growth in all of its product categories, including strong iPad sales.
Shares of Apple have struggled alongside tech stocks this year, down around 6% as investors have favoured more value-focused plays, directly tied to an economic recovery. Apple shares gained 80% both last year and in 2019. The stock got a boost earlier this week when Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani told clients that the shares look cheap and lifted his price target to US$175 from US$163.
Reprinted by permission of Barron’s. Copyright 2021 Dow Jones & Company. Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Original date of publication: March 18, 2021.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.
But leading Australian economist says there are five reasons for investors to be optimistic about the future
A 291-point or 3.69 percent dive in the benchmark ASX 200 index over April has all but wiped out the Australian share market’s gains for 2024. There was a 140-point or 1.81 percent drop in the ASX 200 on Monday and a minor further fall yesterday. The Australian market has followed the US lead this month, with the S&P 500 also down significantly, losing 232 points or 4.42 percent since 1 April.
The catalysts include last week’s hotter-than-expected US inflation data. Although analysts think Australian inflation is unlikely to follow suit, stickier-than-expected inflation in the US may delay the first interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. As the US is the world’s largest economy, this may have implications for central bank decisions in other nations like Australia.
“ … uncertainty over when the Fed will start to cut rates has been increased by three worse than expected monthly CPI inflation results in a row …,” said AMP chief economist Dr Shane Oliver. “This has seen money market expectations for 0.25 percent rate cuts this year scaled back from seven starting in March this year to now less than two starting in September. And in Australia they have been scaled back from nearly three starting in June to no rate cut until late this year/early next.”
On top of that, Iran’s retaliatory strike on Israel and Israel’s insistence that a response will be forthcoming despite many Western nations’ objections have made investors nervous. If Iran were to become more involved in the ongoing war, this may have ramifications for oil prices.
“Another sharp spike in oil prices would be a threat to the economic outlook as it could boost inflation again … potentially resulting in higher than otherwise interest rates and act as a tax hike on consumers leaving less to spend on other things,” Dr Oliver said.
Also, in Australia, the pandemic savings buffers people have been using to cope with the cost of living crisis are being depleted and China’s weak property sector is impacting demand for iron ore. All of this makes shares vulnerable to a pullback amid stretched valuations and more trading volatility ahead, Dr Oliver said.
On balance though, Dr Oliver thinks an upward trend is likely to remain for shares. “From their lows last October, it has been relatively smooth sailing for shares – with US shares up 28 percent, global shares up 25 percent and Australian shares up 17 percent to recent highs.”Dr Oliver said the past few weeks have “seen a rough patch” but the share market is likely to continue its bull run.
Markets have been strong since November 2023 due to falling inflation and optimism that the interest rate cycle is at its peak. Many economists have expressed surprise that the jobs market in many Western countries has remained strong despite weaker economic conditions. Some are terming this “immaculate disinflation” because it goes against the traditional trend of many people losing jobs when economies slow down.
In this climate, Dr Oliver recommends that investors stick to an appropriate long-term investment strategy and accept that share market pullbacks are “healthy and normal”.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.