Barclays Removes Apple As Top Pick After Trimming Global Smartphone Forecast
Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz removed the firm's Top Pick designation on Apple (AAPL) shares after the firm trimmed its 2016 smartphone revenue and unit growth estimates, saying that the firm's research is not pointing to any major improvement in smartphone units beyond initial channel fill for the new iPhones and Samsung (SSNLF) Galaxy products.
The firm now estimates a decline of 2.9% in smartphone revenue and growth of 2.6% in smartphone units, versus its prior forecast for a revenue decline of 0.7% and unit growth of 3.7% in 2016. Moskowitz, who thinks Apple shares may see near-term choppiness after their recent run-up, keeps an Overweight rating on the stock but lowered his price target to $114 from $115.
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