Bloomberg reports: Apple Soars to Record Amid Optimism About Coming ProductsApple Soars to Record Amid Optimism About Coming Products [7]
Apple Inc. [8]’s stock soared to an all-time high, surpassing a 2012 record as investors look ahead to new products such as bigger-screen iPhones and a wristwatch-like device that may jump-start revenue growth.
Apple rose 1.4 percent to $100.53 yesterday, topping the split-adjusted record of $100.30 reached on Sept. 19, 2012, just before the iPhone 5 went on sale. The shares, which have advanced 25 percent this year, extended their gains today before the markets opened, trading as high as $100.98.
After rising more than sevenfold following the 2007 debut [9] of its smartphone, Apple’s stock lost a third of its value in the year after the iPhone 5’s release on concerns that the company was running out of hit product ideas without co-founder Steve Jobs [10]. The tenor has changed, with analysts estimating record sales for the next batch of iPhones, set to be released later this year.
Those that follow me know that I've always been a contrarian on Apple. I've actually been quite accurate on the company's stock valuation over the last 4 years, calling the top within a week of its dramatic downward turn (reference Deconstructing The Most Accurate Apple Analysis Ever [11]).
I personally do not see Apple's pipeline as comparable to its major competitors. Apple's anticipated larger screen phones are playing catch-up with the Android competition from three years ago, and their stock buybacks, Beats purchase and apparent dearth in innovative products (iWatch, 4.5 inch screens do not make the cut) pale in comparison to the pipelines from Google (Glass, self-driving cars, Project Ara $50 Modular Smartphone [12], etc.) and Samsung (flexible phones, foldable screens, quarterly hardware updates, etc.).
This is what a bear (contrarian) trade on Apple looks like in UltraCoin...
To illustrate the flexibility of the UltraCoin trading system, I've presented a scenario where you can actually swap Apple returns for Google returns in lieu of simply going long Apple or short Apple.
You can also swap Apple returns for USD, EUR, GBP, or RMB - which is essentially shorting it in various currencies. If you are bullish on Apple, simple click the "switch" button, which will reverse the exposures.
This is probably the best interview on the topic of Bitcoin smart contracts and investments that I know of. Go to the 4:00 minute mark to begin.
Download the UltraCoin client here [13]. Anyone who wants to try the system out with small trades of .01BTC can simple create them and email me to take the other side of the trade [14] (I'll take the opposite side of any trade).
These are my latest Tweets on the topic.
#AAPL [15] now facing same problems competitors faced in 2009/10. Component sourcing market is crowded & Samsung/LG/HTC/Sony have it cornered
— ReggieMiddleton (@ReggieMiddleton) August 22, 2014 [16]
Re: big screen phones, AAPL will be hard pressed 2 do as well as guys that make screens Samsung/Sony/LG/Sharp & will hav 2 fight 4 resources
— ReggieMiddleton (@ReggieMiddleton) August 22, 2014 [17]
Anybody who disagrees with my previous assertion is free to explain APPL's current shortage during its arguably most important release ever!
— ReggieMiddleton (@ReggieMiddleton) August 22, 2014 [18]
All long term #APPL [19] bulls, meet me & those who truly delve into realm of fundamental analysis for a "short fest" at http://t.co/GtXP2ZDMRF [20]
— ReggieMiddleton (@ReggieMiddleton) August 22, 2014 [21]