Apple shares slide by most in over four years on disappointing iPhone sales

Apple hurt itself with its own products. Mac sales are down because of more iPad sales and iPods sales have been falling because of iPhone sales. In the end people (even Apple fans) are value buyers in this economy. They may still want Apple products. But their willing to accept a iPad at $325 then a Mac at over $1000. In the end Apple is really a affluent targeted company that attracts buyers with deeper pockets. Apple will be challenged in markets like China where median incomes are far below that of the US market where Apple has done the best. Plus, let’s be honest. Apple does not have its best salesman anymore in Steve Jobs.

The problem with Apple’s stock doesn’t seem to be related to the company itself, or to its products.
It’s just that the more sophisticated investors are finally coming to realize that Apple simply can’t keep growing and succeeding as much as it did before, since it has lost the momentary advantages it had years ago in a number of key fast growing markets.
In other words, the mass illusion of ‘Apple Forever’ is starting to fade.
It’s about expectations.

It doesn’t compete in markets it makes them (IPAD< IPHONE etc)

It *used* to create markets. Past tense. There hass been no new product in 3 years. For any company to keep growing, it has to have actual new product lines.

I’m scratching my head, wondering why it is that so many folks out there were expecting a company that only produces expensive devices to grow indefinitely. Clearly, there are quite a few people who have lost touch with global reality.

This slowdown was inevitable….and it’s permanent as long as Apple stays exclusively in the high priced end of the market. ‘High end’ and ‘high priced’ are not and will never be mainstream. It’s niche. High end products never make up more than 20% of any market that has become truly global. While other companies are providing options at all price points, Apple’s only supplying those folks who can afford their high prices. Like every other high end company out there, Apple’s sales ceiling is far lower than their competitors who are offering more price points.

Will Apple die now that Jobs is gone?