Apple 1Q26 Earnings Review: Margin Concerns Are Overblown
Happy Wednesday.
To recap where we stand with reviewing Apple's 1Q26 earnings.
Last Friday: Big picture overview and the numbers
Tuesday: All about iPhone
Today: Margins
Let's jump in.
Apple 1Q26 Earnings Review: Margin Concerns Are Overblown
Heading into Apple’s 1Q26 earnings release, margin concerns were among the list of items thought to be contributing to Wall Street’s negative view regarding Apple. Memory pricing inflation had been in the news for weeks. There was also growing chatter and speculation surrounding the Apple / TSMC relationship as it pertained to future pricing and supply. We could have even thrown in lingering tariff cost concerns into the margins discussion, although the tariff topic does seem to have genuinely been put on the back burner for now with Apple’s exposure being contained.
Based on Apple management’s commentary on the 1Q26 earnings call, gross margin fears are overblown based on how events on the ground are trending. While Apple will likely see some pressure from select higher component pricing, a handful of tailwinds are positioned to help offset those headwinds.
Memory accounts for a relatively small percentage
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iPhone Production Rumored to Remain Flat, Apple Increases Budget for Employee Compensation, Apple Operating Margins Coming Under Pressure
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following stories:
iPhone Production Rumored to Remain Flat
Apple Increases Budget for Employee Compensation
Apple Operating Margins Coming Under Pressure
We begin today’s update with Neil’s thoughts on the latest rumor regarding Apple’s iPhone production plans. The discussion then turns to Apple’s decision to increase its employee compensation budget. We go over the likely financial cost of the move. The update concludes with a closer look at how Apple’s operating margin improvement has likely ended, at least in the near term.
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