Companies and Brands

Why Credit Suisse Sees Apple Driving Even Higher

Thinkstock

Although earnings are driving the markets lower on Tuesday, one key analyst sees Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) pushing its all-time highs even higher. Most of this gain is expected due to a big contribution from the firm’s Services segment. Credit Suisse took a bullish stance and also noted that the market currently underappreciates Apple’s growth potential.

Credit Suisse maintained an Outperform rating for the iPhone giant, but raised its price target to $170 from $160, versus a $141.83 closing price.

Ultimately, the brokerage firm believes that the market underestimates the gross profit contribution from the Services segment, but more importantly, that it underappreciates its growth potential and the annuity-type business it drives in terms of retention and replacement across the business.

Credit Suisse’s Kulbinder Garcha detailed in the report:

Services doubling revenue by 2020, to rise to 33% of GP. We estimate that with the existing slate of services, Services revenues could rise to $52bn long term from $26bn today (although we believe this will need a more direct video offering) driven by a high quality, affluent, digitally transacting user base of 1.1bn devices and around 650mn users. Given that GMs are around 70% for this business, it would suggest that services will contribute $39bn in GP long term from $19bn today. We see several financial benefits of this. First, we believe it will drive GM over 40% longer term suggesting upside to our projections. Second, it makes the cash-flow stream higher quality. Third, it gives an opportunity and platform from which Apple can launch new services offerings.

While a change in Apple’s valuation approach may take some time, considering Apple’s Services growth and an installed base that could grow to roughly 1.5 billion long term, Credit Suisse sees an annuity-like free cash flow that seems to be sustainable at about $75 billion in the long term.

Shares of Apple were trading at $141.59 on Tuesday, with a consensus analyst price target of $147.61 and a 52-week trading range of $89.47 to $145.46.

The Average American Is Losing Their Savings Every Day (Sponsor)

If you’re like many Americans and keep your money ‘safe’ in a checking or savings account, think again. The average yield on a savings account is a paltry .4% today, and inflation is much higher. Checking accounts are even worse.

Every day you don’t move to a high-yield savings account that beats inflation, you lose more and more value.

But there is good news. To win qualified customers, some accounts are paying 9-10x this national average. That’s an incredible way to keep your money safe, and get paid at the same time. Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other one time cash bonuses, and is FDIC insured.

Click here to see how much more you could be earning on your savings today. It takes just a few minutes and your money could be working for you.

 

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.