Apple Loses €13 Billion Tax Battle with the EUApple Inc. ( NASDAQ:AAPL ) has suffered a significant legal setback as the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled against the company in a high-profile tax case, requiring it to pay €13 billion ($14.4 billion) in back taxes to Ireland. This decision comes after years of litigation and represents a major victory for the European Commission’s ongoing efforts to crack down on so-called “sweetheart” tax deals that give multinationals an unfair advantage.
The ECJ’s ruling overturns a previous 2020 decision by a lower court that had favored Apple, signaling a renewed focus on holding large corporations accountable for exploiting loopholes in European tax laws. The ruling not only has financial implications for Apple but also sets a precedent for how the EU will handle similar cases in the future.
Key Details of the Ruling
In 2016, Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition chief, accused Ireland of granting Apple illegal tax benefits that unfairly favored the tech giant and distorted competition. The case focused on tax rulings granted by Ireland that allowed Apple to channel billions in profits through the country at a tax rate as low as 0.005%, far below the standard corporate tax rates.
Apple and Ireland both challenged the ruling in the EU’s General Court, which initially sided with the tech company in 2020, arguing that the European Commission had not sufficiently proven that Apple received a selective economic advantage. However, the ECJ has now reversed this decision, reaffirming the Commission’s stance that the tax arrangements constituted illegal state aid.
Impact on Apple’s Finances and Market Position
While the €13 billion tax bill is substantial, it represents a fraction of Apple’s vast cash reserves. However, the ruling could influence the company’s financial strategies and complicate its tax planning across Europe. Apple has been vocal in its defense, insisting that it has always paid taxes in accordance with the law and that the case is more about jurisdiction than tax evasion.
“This case has never been about how much tax we pay but which government we are required to pay it to,” Apple stated after the ruling. The company argued that its income was already subject to taxation in the U.S. and that the EU was attempting to change the rules retroactively.
The “Double Irish” Tax Scheme: A Closer Look
Central to Apple’s tax practices was the now-defunct “Double Irish” tax strategy, which allowed multinational companies to route profits through Ireland to minimize their tax liabilities. This involved transferring profits to an Irish subsidiary, which then paid the money to another entity registered in Ireland but taxed elsewhere, often in a tax haven like Bermuda.
Although Ireland shut down this tax loophole in 2014 under pressure from the EU and the U.S., the ECJ ruling underscores the long-term implications of such arrangements. The decision may also encourage the European Commission to scrutinize other tax agreements, signaling a broader crackdown on similar schemes used by other tech giants.
### Technical Analysis: AAPL Stock in Focus
Apple’s stock ( NASDAQ:AAPL ) has experienced turbulence following the ECJ’s ruling, dipping by 1% in Monday’s extended trading session. The decline was not solely due to the court’s decision; it also reflects investor concerns about the broader market environment and the recent iPhone 16 launch, which did not provide the immediate boost some had hoped for.
However, from a technical perspective, Apple’s stock remains in a promising position. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 60, indicating that the stock is neither overbought nor oversold, which is a healthy sign for potential upward momentum. Moreover, NASDAQ:AAPL is trading above its key moving averages, including the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day MAs, suggesting that the overall trend remains positive despite recent setbacks.
The Path Ahead: Risks and Opportunities
The ECJ ruling may create short-term headwinds for Apple, both financially and reputationally. However, the company’s strong market position, diversified revenue streams, and continued innovation in technology could help it weather this storm. Apple’s commitment to paying all taxes owed, regardless of jurisdiction, is likely to resonate with investors who value corporate responsibility.
For the EU, this case represents a significant milestone in its quest to create a level playing field for all businesses operating within its borders. The ruling sends a clear message that the bloc will not tolerate tax avoidance strategies that undermine fair competition, and it may embolden further actions against other tech giants.
Conclusion
Apple’s €13 billion tax setback in the EU is a critical moment in the ongoing battle between multinational corporations and global tax authorities. While the financial impact on Apple may be manageable, the ruling has broader implications for corporate governance and regulatory compliance across the tech industry.
For investors, the current dip in Apple’s stock presents a moment to reassess the company’s long-term potential amid evolving legal and economic landscapes. With strong technical indicators and a robust business model, NASDAQ:AAPL remains a key player, but vigilance is necessary as the company navigates its complex legal challenges.
AAPL
APPLE: Buy lower if this level breaks. Next target = 260.Apple is neutral on its 1D technical outlook (RSI = 45.352, MACD = -0.130, ADX = 33.865) as it is consolidating around the 1D MA50. The trend is a bearish one, correcting under LH and until they break, it will remain bearish. Much like the Channel Down corrections of 2023 and 2024, failure to cross above the top of the bearish pattern, should extend the selling to the 1D MA100 again, even the 1D MA200 if it fails.
The 1D RSI of the prior tw fractals indicates that two main LH should be formed before the price recovers. This shows that we should take our time with AAPL and if the 1.5 Fib level breaks, buy on the 1D MA100 and the 1D MA200 for the long term. TP = 260.00 (the 2.5 Fibonacci level).
See how our prior idea has worked out:
## If you like our free content follow our profile to get more daily ideas. ##
## Comments and likes are greatly appreciated. ##
Apple Inc & the iPhone 16 Launch: What Lies Ahead for the Giant?Apple Inc. ( NASDAQ:AAPL ) is set to host its highly anticipated iPhone 16 launch event on Monday, September 9, 2024. This event, widely considered Apple’s most important of the year, comes at a pivotal time for the tech giant, as it struggles to convince investors and consumers alike that its flagship product still has room for innovation and growth.
iPhone 16 Launch: What’s New?
The iPhone 16 lineup, including the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max, will be the focal point of the event. However, industry analysts, including Bloomberg, have indicated that the new iPhones will not feature significant design changes compared to their predecessors, the iPhone 15 series. The base models will see minor upgrades like faster processors, increased storage capacity, and the inclusion of the action button previously exclusive to the Pro models.
The Pro versions will boast slightly larger screens, slimmer bezels, improved processors, more advanced AI features, and enhanced camera capabilities. However, these iterative updates might struggle to capture the excitement that previous models once did, reflecting Apple’s current challenge in the fiercely competitive smartphone market.
Declining iPhone Sales and Revenue Concerns
Apple’s iPhone remains its most important revenue driver, yet the segment has shown signs of slowing growth. In the most recent quarter, iPhone sales revenue fell to $32.29 billion from $39.66 billion a year earlier, reflecting broader challenges in the consumer electronics market. Over the first half of 2024, iPhone sales dipped from $156 billion to $154 billion year-over-year, highlighting the difficulties Apple faces in reigniting demand.
The broader issue for Apple lies in its perceived stagnation; incremental upgrades in the iPhone 16 may not be enough to drive substantial sales growth. This problem is compounded by changing consumer habits, as people now tend to hold onto their iPhones for 3 to 4 years before upgrading, compared to shorter upgrade cycles in the past.
Apple’s other hardware segments, such as the iPad, face similar challenges. While iPad sales rose to $7.1 billion in the last quarter, the line’s growth prospects remain questionable due to the lack of distinguishing features that set it apart from larger iPhones or other tablets.
Expanding Services: Apple’s Growing Revenue Driver
While iPhone and hardware sales may be slowing, Apple’s services segment continues to show resilience, growing from $81.7 billion in Q2 2023 to over $85.7 billion in the latest quarter. This high-margin segment, encompassing Apple Pay, Arcade, Music, News, and the App Store, has become a critical revenue driver as the company navigates challenging hardware markets.
However, even with robust growth in services, the company’s overall valuation remains under scrutiny. Apple’s $3.4 trillion market cap, with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 33.63 and a forward EV-to-sales ratio of 8.47, has drawn skepticism from prominent investors, including Warren Buffett, who has recently trimmed his stake in the company. As Apple’s core revenue sources face headwinds, the question of whether its valuation can be justified looms large.
Technical Analysis: Potential Downside Ahead?
From a technical perspective, Apple’s stock chart is flashing warning signs. Recently, the stock has formed a double-top pattern, a classic bearish signal, with a neckline around $195.80. Should this level break, it could trigger a deeper correction, aligning with broader concerns over Apple’s growth trajectory.
Key support levels to monitor include $218, where a trendline support intersects with significant historical price action, followed by $207, which aligns with previous breakout levels. A failure to hold these zones could see the stock retest the critical $196 support, near its 200-day moving average. Conversely, resistance looms near $233, a level that coincides with recent 1 Month High and where investors may look to lock in gains amid a potentially volatile period.
Competitive Pressures: Huawei’s Tri-Fold Phone Steals the Spotlight
Adding to Apple’s challenges, Huawei has captured attention with its new tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT, which has already amassed 2.7 million pre-orders. This launch underscores the growing competition Apple faces, particularly in China, where it recently fell out of the top five smartphone vendors. As Huawei and other Chinese manufacturers push the envelope with innovative designs and features, Apple’s lack of a folding phone remains a glaring omission in its product lineup.
Conclusion: A Critical Moment for Apple
As Apple gears up for its iPhone 16 launch, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The company’s ability to excite consumers and investors with its new lineup will be closely scrutinized, especially given the stock’s recent technical weakness and ongoing fundamental challenges. While Apple’s robust services segment provides a buffer, the question of whether this alone can sustain its lofty valuation remains unanswered. For now, Apple’s near-term fortunes may hinge on how well the market receives the iPhone 16 and whether it can navigate an increasingly complex competitive landscape.
Stock Market | TSLA NVDA AAPL AMZN META GOOG MSFT AnalysisQQQ Forecast
Sp500 ETF analysis
Nvidia Stock NVDA Forecast Technical Analysis
Apple Stock AAPL Forecast Technical Analysis
Microsoft Stock MSFT Forecast Technical Analysis
Google Stock GOOGL Forecast Technical Analysis
Amazon Stock AMZN Forecast Technical Analysis
Meta Forecast Technical Analysis
Tesla Stock TSLA Forecast Technical Analysis
AAPL: All Signs Point to Sell The AAPL chart is flashing sell signals, with price hovering near key red lines resistance. Sellers seem to be in control, and the setup suggests further downside potential. Will we see a break lower, or is a surprise bounce lurking?
Feel free to share your thoughts on this setup in the comments, and follow for more trade ideas!
*Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. Always trade responsibly!*
APPLE Set To Fall! SELL!
My dear subscribers,
This is my opinion on the APPLE next move:
The instrument tests an important psychological level 228.86
Bias - Bearish
Technical Indicators: Supper Trend gives a precise Bearish signal, while Pivot Point HL predicts price changes and potential reversals in the market.
Target - 219.98
My Stop Loss - 233.40
About Used Indicators:
On the subsequent day, trading above the pivot point is thought to indicate ongoing bullish sentiment, while trading below the pivot point indicates bearish sentiment.
———————————
WISH YOU ALL LUCK
Apple - Still Outperforming Everything!Apple ( NASDAQ:AAPL ) is stronger than 99% of stocks:
Click chart above to see the detailed analysis👆🏻
Despite the recent stock market weakness, Apple is trading at new all time highs. This clearly indicates that buyers don't let this stock down but are rather buying every dip. Even though Apple is retesting a channel resistance, a breakout followed by a rally is definitely possible.
Levels to watch: $230, $280
Keep your long term vision,
Philip (BasicTrading)
Stock Market | TSLA NVDA AAPL AMZN META GOOG MSFT AnalysisQQQ Forecast
Sp500 ETF analysis
Nvidia Stock NVDA Forecast Technical Analysis
Apple Stock AAPL Forecast Technical Analysis
Microsoft Stock MSFT Forecast Technical Analysis
Google Stock GOOGL Forecast Technical Analysis
Amazon Stock AMZN Forecast Technical Analysis
Meta Forecast Technical Analysis
Tesla Stock TSLA Forecast Technical Analysis
NVDA TSLA QQQ AAPL AMZN META GOOG MSFT AnalysisQQQ Forecast
Sp500 ETF analysis
Nvidia Stock NVDA Forecast Technical Analysis
Apple Stock AAPL Forecast Technical Analysis
Microsoft Stock MSFT Forecast Technical Analysis
Google Stock GOOGL Forecast Technical Analysis
Amazon Stock AMZN Forecast Technical Analysis
Meta Forecast Technical Analysis
Tesla Stock TSLA Forecast Technical Analysis
Apple (AAPL): Swing Entry on the HorizonLast time, we narrowly missed the entry on Apple by just a few dollars, and after that miss, the stock no longer presented a compelling opportunity, so we decided to wait. However, after observing from the sidelines for a few months, it seems that another chance to secure a profitable swing entry might be approaching.
To increase our confidence in this potential opportunity and secure a better entry point, we need to closely monitor further movements from this tech giant. The current price action strongly suggests that a flat pattern might be forming following the recent drop. If this flat pattern does materialize, it could manifest as either a regular flat or an expanded flat, and this will be crucial in determining our entry target zone. At this stage, the area between $200 and $180 seems the most probable and attractive for a potential entry.
Given the broader market trends and Apple’s recent performance, this zone could offer a favorable risk-reward ratio. We’ll be watching for any developments that confirm this pattern and provide a clearer signal for entry. Stay tuned for further updates as we refine our strategy and prepare for a possible move on Apple.
Apple: Near the summitApple should be on the last meters of the turquoise wave B. As soon as the high is established, we expect a final sell-off. For the end of the corrective movement, we have added a magenta-colored Target Zone (between $192.02 and $172.34) to the chart. Investors could establish long positions there, with stops placed around 1% below the lower edge. With the low in place, we expect a rise above the resistance at $254.30. Should this level be broken earlier, our alternative scenario (34%) will come into play. This wave count sees the last local low as the low of the magenta wave alt.(2).
Stock Market | TSLA NVDA AAPL AMZN META GOOG MSFT AnalysisQQQ Forecast
Sp500 ETF analysis
Nvidia Stock NVDA Forecast Technical Analysis
Apple Stock AAPL Forecast Technical Analysis
Microsoft Stock MSFT Forecast Technical Analysis
Google Stock GOOGL Forecast Technical Analysis
Amazon Stock AMZN Forecast Technical Analysis
Meta Forecast Technical Analysis
Tesla Stock TSLA Forecast Technical Analysis
APPLE The Target Is DOWN! SELL!
My dear subscribers,
APPLE looks like it will make a good move, and here are the details:
The market is trading on 226.81 pivot level.
Bias - Bearish
My Stop Loss - 232.38
Technical Indicators: Both Super Trend & Pivot HL indicate a highly probable Bearish continuation.
Target - 217.95
About Used Indicators:
The average true range (ATR) plays an important role in 'Supertrend' as the indicator uses ATR to calculate its value. The ATR indicator signals the degree of price volatility.
———————————
WISH YOU ALL LUCK
Stock Market | TSLA NVDA AAPL AMZN META GOOG MSFT AnalysisQQQ Forecast
Sp500 ETF analysis
Nvidia Stock NVDA Forecast Technical Analysis
Apple Stock AAPL Forecast Technical Analysis
Microsoft Stock MSFT Forecast Technical Analysis
Google Stock GOOGL Forecast Technical Analysis
Amazon Stock AMZN Forecast Technical Analysis
Meta Forecast Technical Analysis
Tesla Stock TSLA Forecast Technical Analysis
Short NVDA for a little +33%...This trade is purely psychological revenge...
Long AAPL and TSLA, short NVDA haha
NVIDIA's (NVDA) Stock Expected to Plummet to $82 Post Q2 Earnings
1. Overestimated AI Chip Demand
2. Data Center Growth Slowing Down
3. Vulnerabilities in the Gaming Sector
5. Product Innovation Fatigue
6. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
AAPLE VS NASDAQ. THE FRUITY COMPANY AHEAD OF EARNINGS CALLConsumer tech manufacturer Apple (AAPL) is due to report earnings next Thursday, February 1. Notably, waning iPhone demand out of China has worried investors as Apple had a rocky 2024 start, dealing with several stock downgrades.
Some of analysts slowed down its expectations for Apple and the biggest tailwinds and risks for its various devices.
"As far as those businesses are concerned, the only one that will probably show growth is Mac because some of the new products that they rolled out and easy comps from a year ago, you will probably see some sharp declines specifically on the iPad side of things...," they note.
The main graph is a ratio, between Apple stocks price NASDAQ:AAPL and overall NASDAQ:NDX Nasdaq-100 Big Tech index.
It's been a while since Buffett put the money into Fruity Company in Q2'16, and since that Apple stock outperformed the whole index, appr. by 150 percent over the next 6 years.
By the way, Apple stocks as well as Nasdaq-100 index hit the bottom, in early Q4'22 and since that, Apple underperforms the whole Big Tech Index, totally.
Basically NASDAQ:AAPL losses against NASDAQ:NDX further, over the past 12-15 months later they both hit the bottom. In this time the major break down happens in massive reversed Head-and-Shoulders ctructure, just ahead of Q4'23 Earnings call.
This is the bottom line, I'm avoid the Fruity Company ahead of Earnings Call.
Happy trading to everyone. See y'all later.
I AM BULLISH ON AAPL STOCK. BUY AT $218.5In the recent market activity, APPLE (AAPL) stock experienced a significant decline, dropping to approximately $196 on the 5th of this month.
This event marked a challenging day for both the financial markets and the cryptocurrency sector. Currently, AAPL has rebounded to $221.
Based on my analysis, I see an opportunity to enter the market at the $219 level, with a short-term target set at $224.
To manage risk, a stop loss (SL) is strategically placed at $218.5. Despite the recent volatility, AAPL continues to present strong potential for investors.
Stock Market | TSLA NVDA AAPL AMZN META GOOG MSFT AnalysisQQQ Forecast
Sp500 ETF analysis
Nvidia Stock NVDA Forecast Technical Analysis
Apple Stock AAPL Forecast Technical Analysis
Microsoft Stock MSFT Forecast Technical Analysis
Google Stock GOOGL Forecast Technical Analysis
Amazon Stock AMZN Forecast Technical Analysis
Meta Forecast Technical Analysis
Tesla Stock TSLA Forecast Technical Analysis
Apple Inc. (AAPL) Forms 9 Consecutive Bullish CandlesApple Inc. (AAPL) Forms 9 Consecutive Bullish Candles on Daily Chart
If we define bullish candles as those where the closing price is higher than the opening price, we can observe a sequence of 9 such candles on Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) daily chart from August 2nd to 14th.
On August 6th, we mentioned that market participants were bearish due to news that Warren Buffett had sold half of his Apple Inc. (AAPL) shares, but the situation has since reversed.
Now, bullish sentiment is gaining support from news related to George Soros purchasing Apple Inc. (AAPL) shares. According to MarketWatch, Soros Fund Management LLC has invested in Apple Inc. along with other tech companies, including Broadcom Inc. (AVGO), Micron Technology (MU), Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN), and Super Micro Computer Inc. (SMCI).
Today's technical analysis of the AAPL chart shows that:
→ Bulls have recovered from the price drop to the August 5th low. It's interesting to note that the August 5th low can be calculated using the height of the Head and Shoulders pattern, measuring downward from the neckline break (as shown by the yellow lines).
→ The price is hovering around the median line of a channel constructed using the Linear Regression tool. The fact that the price is approximately in the middle between the extreme deviations suggests the possibility of consolidation. This would be appropriate, given that the ATR indicator shows the market experienced a period of extreme volatility at the beginning of August.
The chart may continue to show a series of bullish candles, but they might have small bodies, reflecting modest gains along the median line.
According to a survey of 32 Wall Street analysts by TipRanks, 24 recommend buying Apple stock. Their average price target for AAPL is $248.78 within the next 12 months.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.