Apple (AAPL) – Get Free Report shares edged lower in pre-market trading following the tech giant’s unveiling of new MacBook computes, powered by a new line of high-performance chips, just days ahead of its highly-anticipated fourth quarter earnings.
The new line-up of MacBooks, which are priced between $1,299 and $2,499, are expected to launch over the coming weeks and provide some support for Apple’s product sales over the holiday quarter, following a disappointing spring and uncertain demand over the summer months.
Apple is also advancing its drive into chip design following its split with Intel INTC in 2020, with the new MacBooks powered by a trio of new chips, the M3, the M3 Pro and the M3 Max, the latter of which can be used for AI developers and could be seen as an early challenge to Nvidia (NVDA) – Get Free Report early market dominance.
Apple will publish its fourth quarter earnings after the close of trading Thursday, with analysts looking for a bottom line of $1.39 per share, up 7.8% from the same period last year, on revenues of $89.28 billion.
Key to the update, however, will be Apple’s forecast for the holiday quarter, with sales of the new MacBooks now a crucial factor following suggestions that take-up of the new iPhone 15 has been weaker-than-expected in key markets, including the U.S. and China, following its launch in early September.
Apple shares were marked 0.32% lower in pre-market trading to indicate a Tuesday opening bell price of $169.75 each.
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