Apple reports Q3 results • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#31

Post by myth_drannon » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:12 PM UTC

kbenson wrote: post #12

matthewdgreen wrote: post #3

Given the high rates of unemployment in the US and around the world (with possibly worse to come) this kind of consumer spending on luxury goods is pretty remarkable. Wonder how sustainable it is.

That's likely reduced entertainment expense of eating out and of traveling and vacations shifting at least partially to other areas. An iPhone costs a lot, but so does a week long vacation in another state, and eating out a couple times a week, and those are less likely for a lot of people now.

Correct. No family vacations in France/Italy ($15K easy), just spending on gadgets/home renovations.

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#32

Post by adtac » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:15 PM UTC

>The Board of Directors has also approved a four-for-one stock split to make the stock more accessible to a broader base of investors. Each Apple shareholder of record at the close of business on August 24, 2020 will receive three additional shares for every share held on the record date, and trading will begin on a split-adjusted basis on August 31, 2020.

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#33

Post by dhosek » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:16 PM UTC

kbenson wrote: post #12

matthewdgreen wrote: post #3

Given the high rates of unemployment in the US and around the world (with possibly worse to come) this kind of consumer spending on luxury goods is pretty remarkable. Wonder how sustainable it is.

That's likely reduced entertainment expense of eating out and of traveling and vacations shifting at least partially to other areas. An iPhone costs a lot, but so does a week long vacation in another state, and eating out a couple times a week, and those are less likely for a lot of people now.

Anecdotally, our app spending is up a lot since the quarantine began—my kids (6 yo twins) got iPads for their birthday and we've probably spent at least $50 on apps for them alone (a mix of educational apps and games). I imagine there's a lot of educational app purchases happening in general.

As an aside, we use new apps as a reward for various exceptional acts. My son looked at my phone not long after we started this and told me that I must have done a lot for my mom to have put so many icons on my phone.

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#34

Post by OldHand2018 » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:17 PM UTC

xondono wrote: post #20

Kkoala wrote: post #18

It's Q2 right? Or do they not use the calendar year for accounting?

They don’t use the calendar numbering, but I don’t really know why

When you start a company, you choose a "tax year" by filing a tax return. From then on out, you file your tax return the same month every year.

If it's a small business, you probably find it most convenient to have the tax year be the calendar year and match up with your personal filing.

Many businesses have some concept of a "selling season" that makes it really convenient to not use January through December. A retailer, for example, probably prefers not to close their books on December 31 every year because of all the post-Christmas gift returns. Walmart has a January fiscal year (February 1 through Jan 31).

If you sold stuff to schools, you might choose a June fiscal year; most universities use a June fiscal year so an entire school year stays in a single fiscal year.

I have no idea why Apple chose September, but it was probably a rational decision.

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#35

Post by Jommi » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:18 PM UTC

shmatt wrote: post #6

matthewdgreen wrote: post #3

Given the high rates of unemployment in the US and around the world (with possibly worse to come) this kind of consumer spending on luxury goods is pretty remarkable. Wonder how sustainable it is.

Unemployed Americans have (temporarily) discovered the world of fare living-wage unemployment that expires tomorrow. If you don't live in NY or CA, those extra $600 a week can go very far, and have probably helped stimulate the economy greatly

What planet are we living on?

600 a week is 2400 a month, which way over any entry level salary in Europe.

How inflated are the salaries in US? Or are people used to some really abnormal level of living?

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#36

Post by dhosek » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:19 PM UTC

danhak wrote: post #10

cm2187 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Remarkable? Perplexing. Like facebook revenues up while all companies are slashing their marketing budget.

Regarding Facebook ads: We are in the throes of a general election cycle, I'm curious how much of the slack that has been picking up. Anecdotally I am seeing tons of political ads across the internet. I am also curious if increased internet usage in general is compensating for lower PPC as people are stuck at home.

How has Twitter's ad revenue gone? They made the policy to eschew political advertising, so they could serve as a (somewhat imperfect) control group. On the other hand, they also haven't had a high-profile advertiser pull-out like Facebook did either.

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#37

Post by meddlepal » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:21 PM UTC

adtac wrote: post #32

>The Board of Directors has also approved a four-for-one stock split to make the stock more accessible to a broader base of investors. Each Apple shareholder of record at the close of business on August 24, 2020 will receive three additional shares for every share held on the record date, and trading will begin on a split-adjusted basis on August 31, 2020.

What's the split price? $Close / 4?

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#38

Post by bitxbit » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:22 PM UTC

Anxiety induced shopping is a real thing. Leisure travel is another huge wallet share that’s been nonexistent for several months now.

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#39

Post by anthony_r » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:22 PM UTC

meddlepal wrote: post #37

adtac wrote: post #32

>The Board of Directors has also approved a four-for-one stock split to make the stock more accessible to a broader base of investors. Each Apple shareholder of record at the close of business on August 24, 2020 will receive three additional shares for every share held on the record date, and trading will begin on a split-adjusted basis on August 31, 2020.

What's the split price? $Close / 4?

There is no such thing as "split price". You get 4 shares for each share you previously owned, and it's up to the market to resume trading at a new level. It's a non-event, really, except it makes some operations easier.

Re: Apple reports Q3 results

#40

Post by dhosek » Thu, Jul 30, 2020, 9:23 PM UTC

danhak wrote: post #10

cm2187 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Remarkable? Perplexing. Like facebook revenues up while all companies are slashing their marketing budget.

Regarding Facebook ads: We are in the throes of a general election cycle, I'm curious how much of the slack that has been picking up. Anecdotally I am seeing tons of political ads across the internet. I am also curious if increased internet usage in general is compensating for lower PPC as people are stuck at home.

On the ubiquitous political ads, I had to fax something to my doctor last month. I didn't want to subscribe to something to send a single fax and all the fax services that I might have used were unavailable thanks to the lockdown. I found a service that offered free faxing with an ad on the cover sheet. I didn't think twice about it and sent the ad. The confirmation page also had an ad on it. For Trump/Pence. Now I'm terrified that the same ad was on the fax and I'm going to need to get a new doctor.