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AI fever sets the tone for big tech stocks and chipmakers

Apple’s AI Rally Puts Valuation at Risk of Outpacing Reality

Carmen Reinicke and Ryan Vlastelica

21 June 2024 at 9:47 am·3-min read

(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc.’s record-breaking rally has invited skepticism as to whether its artificial intelligence strategy justifies the stock’s valuation.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The shares surged to a fresh all-time high last week, briefly taking Apple back above Microsoft Corp. as the world’s most valuable company after it unveiled new AI features that investors hope will spur a massive upgrade cycle among users.

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That’s pushed the valuation to around 30 times forward earnings, a level that the stock has struggled to sustain in the past. While Apple’s plans were cheered by investors seeking faster revenue growth and higher returns on capital at the firm, questions remain as to when exactly that boost will arrive.

“I hope the market is right, but so far we haven’t seen enough to be sure,” said David Daglio, who manages $7.9 billion as chief investment officer at TwinFocus Capital Partners LLC. “I wouldn’t put new money to work here. The risk-reward is negative at best.”

The timing of when Apple’s AI strategy will deliver a meaningful boost to revenue is key. The rollout of new AI offerings may be slower than investors want, stretching into 2025. The stock rose as much as 1.1% Friday morning.

Wall Street expects Apple’s revenue growth to tick back up in the second half of 2024, but end the year at just 1% before accelerating to 7% in 2025. In the iPhone segment, revenue is forecast to slip in the last two quarters of 2024, when compared to the same period a year earlier.

Climbing valuations are top of mind for investors considering how to play the next leg of the AI rally. Other than Apple, gains to record highs in shares of Microsoft and Nvidia Corp. have pushed the broader market higher, but have also pushed up price-to-earnings ratios for the stocks. Microsoft trades at about 34 times forward earnings, while Nvidia trades at 43 times. The Nasdaq 100 index trades at about 27 times forward earnings.

Some see room for Apple shares to run, even near all-time highs. JPMorgan analysts led by Samik Chatterjee this week boosted their price target to $245 from $225, saying that new AI features should kick off an iPhone upgrade cycle and drive earnings.

Still, Nancy Tengler, chief executive officer at Laffer Tengler Investments Inc., says she has removed Apple from her best ideas list because of its valuation.

“There’s more growth visibility in other names, like Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Broadcom,” she said. “There are other opportunities we’re taking advantage of, and places where valuations aren’t as stretched.”

Top Tech News

Huawei Technologies Co. is closing in on a billion active consumer devices, underscoring how the US-sanctioned company is taking the battle to Apple Inc. in the pivotal Chinese market.
SoftBank Group Corp.’s big-talking founder Masayoshi Son is back, this time with plans to bring about an era of artificial super-intelligence.
Ant Group Co. is considering selling its stake in Baihang Credit Co., a personal credit reporting company, as it awaits a license approval for another similar entity, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Apple Inc. unfairly fired an employee for making racist comments that were part of a toxic workplace culture at one of its London stores, according to a UK court ruling.
A little-known specialist investment firm is set to win big on two UK take-private deals — and is expecting more offers for London’s “mispriced assets.”

Earnings Due Friday

Premarket
- FactSet
- Yiren Digital

--With assistance from Subrat Patnaik and Jeran Wittenstein.

(Updates stock moves at market open)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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