Apple Death Cross Is Here, Analyst Trims $100 Off Target

The research team at Jefferies did maintain a Buy rating, but it lowered its price target objective to $800 from $900. Jefferies is expecting some margin pressure as Asian suppliers cut back on the cost concessions that Apple has been the beneficiary of for so long. The firm also sees slowing growth in the fiscal 2014 period, even with a new iPhone launch most likely next summer followed by a new iPad launch next fall. A lower-priced iPhone also may cut into margins.

As far as that death cross, you will have to decide if you really care about this pattern. True technicians use it as a sign of worry because it means that the weak technical indicators on both longer-term measurements are poor. Apple closed at $533.25 on Friday and the 50-day moving average is $597.90 and the 200-day moving average is $597.45. In short, unless Apple has a $100 rally in its share price on Monday, then that death cross chart pattern will be confirmed on Tuesday.

JON C. OGG