Apple Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Apple unveiled a new purple finish for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, highlighting their advanced dual-camera system and A14 Bionic chip. The phones offer a Super Retina XDR display and improved durability with Ceramic Shield. Pre-orders start on April 23, with availability on April 30. The pricing for iPhone 12 begins at $799 and $699 for the mini before trade-ins. The release adds excitement to the already popular iPhone 12 lineup, which boasts an over 99% customer satisfaction rate, along with 5G support and a new MagSafe accessory ecosystem.

Apple has launched Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, a global marketplace allowing listeners in over 170 countries to access premium subscriptions from various creators starting in May. This new feature offers benefits like ad-free listening and exclusive content from well-known brands like NPR and The Athletic. The updated Apple Podcasts app, available with iOS 14.5, includes enhanced search functions and new features for creators. Users can enroll in the Apple Podcasters Program for $19.99 annually to manage their shows and subscriptions.

Apple has introduced Apple Card Family, set to launch in May, allowing users to share an Apple Card among their Family Sharing group. This new feature lets two individuals co-own an Apple Card, share credit lines, and manage spending collectively. Parents can also share the card with children, emphasizing responsible financial habits. With all spending tracked on iPhone, this aims to enhance users' financial wellness while eliminating fees and offering daily cash rewards on purchases.

Apple has announced an expansion of Apple Arcade, introducing two new game categories: Timeless Classics and App Store Greats, alongside over 30 new titles. This expansion brings the total number of games available to more than 180, including exclusive titles like NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition and Star Trek: Legends. The subscription service remains priced at $4.99 per month with a free trial and includes no ads or in-app purchases, enhancing user privacy and providing a family-friendly platform.

Apple announced that over 110 manufacturing partners are moving to 100% renewable energy, with nearly 8 gigawatts of clean energy planned. This initiative will avoid over 15 million metric tons of CO2e emissions annually, equivalent to removing 3.4 million cars from the road. Apple aims for carbon neutrality across its entire business by 2030 and has invested $4.7 billion in Green Bonds for environmental projects globally. Additionally, a major energy storage project in California will support renewable energy infrastructure, enhancing sustainability efforts.

Apple has announced its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC21) will be held online from June 7 to June 11, offering developers insights into iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. The event will include keynotes, online sessions, and 1:1 labs for developers to interact with Apple engineers. The Swift Student Challenge is also open for submissions until April 18, inviting young developers to showcase their coding skills. Additionally, Apple is committing $1 million to SJ Aspires, an initiative supporting education in underserved neighborhoods as part of its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.

Apple has completed significant renewable energy projects as part of its $4.7 billion Green Bond initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and benefiting local communities. In 2020, 17 projects funded will avoid 921,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing 200,000 cars from the road. These projects will generate 1.2 gigawatts of renewable energy, with key contributions from Nevada, Illinois, Virginia, and Denmark. Apple plans to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire business by 2030, already being carbon neutral for its corporate operations.

Apple reported record revenue of $111.4 billion for Q1 fiscal 2021, marking a 21% year-over-year increase. Earnings per diluted share rose 35% to $1.68, with international sales contributing 64% of revenue. Driven by robust growth across all product categories, Apple achieved an operating cash flow of $38.8 billion and returned over $30 billion to shareholders. A cash dividend of $0.205 per share has been declared, payable on February 11, 2021.