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Citi maintains Buy rating on Apple stock despite tax ruling

EditorTanya Mishra
Published 09/10/2024, 12:44 PM
© Reuters.
AAPL
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Citi has reiterated its Buy rating on shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) with a price target of $255.00.


The affirmation comes despite the European Union's highest court ruling that Apple must pay €13 billion ($14.4 billion) in back taxes to Ireland.


The decision concludes a decade-long legal dispute concerning Apple's tax strategies in the country.


Apple has announced, through an 8-K filing, that it will take a one-time tax charge in its fiscal fourth quarter of approximately $10 billion.


The charge is expected to raise the company's effective tax rate for the quarter and potentially impact its earnings per share (EPS) for fiscal year 2024 by around 10%.


According to Apple's 10-K report, as of September 2023, the tech giant had already allocated €12.7 billion plus interest into an escrow account, which was inaccessible for general corporate use pending the final court decision.


Despite the ruling, Apple believes it may be able to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit for some of the additional Irish corporate income taxes that may be owed in connection with the court's decision.


Apple is facing a significant tax charge of approximately $10 billion following a ruling by the European Court of Justice. The decision mandates Apple to pay Ireland a hefty sum of €13 billion ($14.4 billion) in back taxes.


Evercore ISI and TD Cowen have reaffirmed their positive ratings on Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL), despite this financial setback.


In product-related developments, Apple has introduced new features in its upcoming iPhone 16 and other devices. The iPhone 16 boasts enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities, while the Watch 10 and AirPods Pro offer health-related functionalities.


However, the tech giant also faces competition from Huawei, which recently unveiled its Mate XT, a tri-fold phone with AI capabilities. Despite its high price and production limitations, the Mate XT demonstrates Huawei's technological advancement in the smartphone market.


InvestingPro Insights


As Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) navigates the aftermath of the EU court ruling, investors may find value in considering the company's financial health and market performance. According to InvestingPro data, Apple boasts a massive market capitalization of $3.32 trillion, reflecting its dominant position in the market. The company's P/E ratio stands at 33.28, which, while indicative of a high valuation relative to near-term earnings growth, also signals investor confidence in its future prospects. Additionally, Apple's revenue over the last twelve months as of Q1 2023 reached $385.6 billion, with a modest growth rate of 0.43%, showcasing the company's sustained ability to generate significant sales.


Two InvestingPro Tips that could be particularly relevant for investors in this context are Apple's consistent dividend growth, with dividends raised for 12 consecutive years, and the company's low price volatility, which could provide some assurance amidst market fluctuations. For those interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers further insights, including additional tips on Apple's financial metrics and performance indicators. In fact, there are 15 more InvestingPro Tips available for Apple, which can be accessed for a comprehensive investment evaluation.


These financial metrics and InvestingPro Tips can offer a broader perspective on Apple's resilience and potential for long-term value creation, complementing the analysis provided by Citi's recent Buy rating and price target of $255.00 for Apple's shares.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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