Apple stock wilts on worried about iPhone demand

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple’s stock slipped below US$500 for the first time in 11 months yesterday as investors reacted to reports signaling the company’s latest iPhone is falling further behind a slew of sleek alternatives running Google’s Android software.

The latest indication that Apple, the world’s most valuable company, is seeing sluggish demand for its iPhone 5 emerged in separate stories published yesterday in the Japanese newspaper Nikkei and The Wall Street Journal.

Both publications cited unnamed people familiar with the situation saying Apple has dramatically reduced its orders for the parts needed to build the newest iPhone because the device isn’t selling as well as the company hoped.

The adjustment means Apple will buy about half as many display screens for the iPhone as management originally planned for the opening three months of the year, according to the newspapers.

Apple Inc, which is based in Cupertino, California, declined to comment yesterday. Spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said Apple executives would share their views on market conditions January 23 when the company is scheduled to release its financial results for the final three months of 2011. The period covers the first full quarter that the iPhone 5 was on sale.

Although Apple hailed the iPhone 5 as the best version yet of a product that has revolutionised the telecommunications and computing industry, the company’s stock has wilted since the device hit the market.

After peaking at US$705.07 on the day of the iPhone 5’s September 21 release, Apple’s stock has plunged nearly 30 per cent. (AP)