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Apple Inc (AAPL): Weaker Dollar Will Benefit Revenue Growth and Margins

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FinancialAlchemist/~3/ugjV9zoOOuY/apple-inc-aapl-weaker-dollar-will.html
 Posted on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 | In Investing Lessons, Market Commentary
Contributed by: Turley Muller (http://financial-alchemist.blogspot.com/) -

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bApple Inc. (nasd:AAPL) /bRising gross margins stemming from increased recognition of deferred iPhone revenue has been a key factor in propelling Apple’s share price and EPS. I believe the next major tailwind will be increased revenue growth and higher margins arising from the falling U.S. Dollar. In 2009, 46% of Apple’s total revenue came from overseas, up from 43% in FY08 and 41% in FY07. Including European Apple retail stores, revenue generated in Europe was roughly 30% of total revenue in FY09. International markets are a key source of Apple’s revenue and growth, and a declining dollar is beneficial for the firm. Apple’s performance for the past several quarters was challenged by headwinds from the strengthening USD. Going forward, Apple should benefit from the dollar’s decline. This will lift international revenue growth and boost margins. Alternatively, Apple could choose to lower prices abroad to stimulate product demand to drive volume. I believe many investors overlook the fact that Apple derives nearly half its revenue outside the U.S., thus don’t consider the considerable impact coming from a weaker USD.br /
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The USD had been on a long-term weakening trend up until late 2008 when a string of financial institutions collapsed and panic ensued. This led to a massive influx into U.S. Treasuries, hence the USD. This caused a temporary rise in the USD as investors all over the world sought refuge in securities perceived to be the safest.br /
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Around April/May 2009, money began shifting out of USD leading to the currency weakening. In effect, USD depreciation is a resumption of its previous long-term trend. However, this recent fall in the dollar comes with several new factors that support a long-term dollar decline.br /
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1) Massive stimulus and bailoutsbr /
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2) Budget deficitsbr /
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3) Diversification away from USDbr /
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4) Weak dollar policy to boost exports and domestic manufacturingbr /
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I expect the dollar to continue it’s weakening trend and a return to levels pre-fall 2008. From October to about May, the USD rose considerably, before starting its slide mid-year. Apple generally hedges against currency fluctuations usually 3 to 6 months out, therefore the rise in the USD late-2008 likely didn’t much of an immediate impact. Eventually, the effect of the stronger dollar is felt as new hedges are set at less favorable exchange rates. Apple had warned on its earnings calls that a stronger USD would negatively impact gross margins, thus stated it a as factor for guiding GM lower. However, cheaper components, higher iPhone revenue recognition, increased supply chain efficiencies, and foreign currency hedging more than offset the temporary rise in the USD.nbsp; Apple mentioned in its 2009 10-K filing that the stronger USD did have a negative impact on revenue growth abroad for the full year. When hedges expire, Apple can either raise prices to offset the stronger USD or elect to accept lower ASPs in USD terms. Even though the USD began to fall back in April/May, it’s likely Apple has yet to feel the full benefit of the dollar’s decline due to currency hedges still in effect.nbsp; br /
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The tables below compare product pricing from Apple’s online store for France, U.K., Canada, Australia, and Japan at most recent exchange rates versus rates in early 2009 when the USD was at its highs. Some of the pricing includes VAT, so the price differential between U.S. product prices and Euro zone is overstated, but the focus here is the difference between most recent prices (weak dollar) versus prices when the dollar was stronger during late 2008 – early 2009. In Europe, where Apple receives nearly 30% of its total revenues, prices have risen more that 20% in USD terms. In general, that would equate to a 6% increase in overall ASPs.br /
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A weaker dollar does imply higher product costs since Apple sources components and manufacturing outside the U.S., namely Asia. However, the negative impact of a weaker dollar in terms of product costs is much less than the benefit of higher ASPs in USD terms. This is because: 1) costs are a smaller percentage of overall selling price 2) Apple enters into long-term supply agreements and also has significant leverage over suppliers 3) China’s currency is fixed to the USD as it prefers a weak currency to support exports.br /
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In summary, Apple faced currency headwinds for much of FY09 which I expect will turn into tailwinds for FY10. This factor hasn’t been mentioned much in the investment community. A weak dollar will boost ASPs (in USD terms), hence international revenue growth as well as lift gross margins. Apple could also choose to take advantage of the weakening dollar by cutting prices where it sees elastic demand. Therefore, I expect GM will continue to show strength aiding in the growth of Apple’s bottom line.br /
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Disclosure: Long AAPL.br /
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Last 5 posts by Turley Muller
About Turley Muller (http://financial-alchemist.blogspot.com/)
Mr. Muller received a BA in Business with emphasis in finance from Rhodes College, and is currently a candidate for the CFA designation. His work experience includes the banking industry and Mortgage Trading. He tends to follow a value/ growth at reasonable price strategy and spends time creating valuation models in MS Excel. Even though Mr. Muller has an affinity for numbers and accounting, he believes investors do not focus enough on qualitative aspects such as competitive position. Mr. Muller's blog title- "Financial Alchemist" represents his investment philosophy of finding firms that can convert ideas and market strategies into hoards of FCF. Additionally, he tries to incorporate investor psychology and behavioral finance to explain deviations of stock prices from their intrinsic value.

3 Responses to “Apple Inc (AAPL): Weaker Dollar Will Benefit Revenue Growth and Margins”

  1. Political Expediency Distorts GDP Gains « Sunlight Report Blog Says:
    November 10th, 2009 at 4:02 am

    [...] way of example, in 2009, Apple Inc. generated 46% of its revenues from international sales and 43% in FY 2008 and 41% in FY 2007. While this is a testament to [...]

  2. Political Expediency Distorts GDP Gains | Reaction Radio Says:
    November 10th, 2009 at 7:21 am

    [...] way of example, in 2009, Apple Inc. (AAPL) generated 46% of its revenues from international sales and 43% in FY 2008 and 41% in FY 2007. While this is a testament to [...]

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