Stock Under $10 with 50-100% upside potential - 14 Days FREE!

Apple Supplier Sees Cutbacks

An Apple (AAPL) supplier says the tech giant cut orders last month in preparation for a slowdown in consumer spending.

Catcher Technology, one of the suppliers of light metal exteriors for Apple's iPods, reported a 45% sequential monthly decline in December sales. The drop was 30% below year-over-year levels and much steeper than the single-digit decline that had been predicted.

According to an analyst's note, Catcher blamed the shortfall on an "inventory adjustment by Apple" and Apple's "more conservative view toward macro economics slowdown."

Catcher was unavailable for comment, and an Apple representative declined to comment.

Production cuts are common going into the post-holiday season, as consumer electronics players seek to avoid big inventory pileups. But if Catcher's information is true, the order cuts suggest inventory reduction goals that are below normal seasonal levels.

It's also unclear whether production rates reflect perceived demand trends or merely product changes.

For example, in July TheStreet.com reported that Apple cut its iPhone production in half. Two months later, the company announced it was discontinuing its 4-gigabit iPhone, roughly half its lineup.

Apple shares were down $6.09, or 3%, to $188.84 amid widespread selling Friday.

Select the service that is right for you!

COMPARE ALL SERVICES
Action Alerts PLUS
TRY IT FREE

Jim Cramer and Stephanie Link actively manage a real portfolio and reveal their money management tactics while giving advanced notice before every trade.

Product Features:
  • $2.5+ million portfolio
  • Large-cap and dividend focus
  • Intraday trade alerts from Cramer
  • Weekly roundups
Dividend Stock Advisor
TRY IT FREE
New! $49.95/yr

Jim Cramer's protege, David Peltier, identifies the best of breed dividend stocks that will pay a reliable AND significant income stream.

Product Features:
  • Diversified model portfolio of dividend stocks
  • Alerts when market news affect the portfolio
  • Bi-weekly updates with exact steps to take - BUY, HOLD, SELL
Stocks Under $10
TRY IT FREE

David Peltier, uncovers low dollar stocks with extraordinary upside potential that are flying under Wall Street's radar.

Product Features:
  • Model portfolio
  • Stocks trading below $10
  • Intraday trade alerts
  • Weekly roundups
Real Money
TRY IT FREE

24/7 market commentary from Jim Cramer and 20+ veteran Wall Street gurus. Get access to the latest trading ideas on stocks, options, and ETFs as well as a real-time forum to see the pros exchanging their investment ideas.

Product Features:
  • Jim Cramer + 20 Wall Street pros
  • Intraday commentary & news
  • Real-time trading forum
  • Actionable trade ideas
Real Money Pro
TRY IT FREE

All of Real Money, plus 15 more of Wall Street's sharpest minds delivering actionable trading ideas, a comprehensive look at the market, and fundamental and technical analysis.

Product Features:
  • Real Money + Doug Kass + 15 more Wall Street Pros
  • Intraday commentary & news
  • Ultra-actionable trading ideas
Options Profits
TRY IT FREE

Our options trading pros provide daily market commentary and over 100 monthly option trading ideas and strategies to help you become a well-seasoned trader.

Product Features:
  • 100+ monthly options trading ideas
  • Actionable options commentary & news
  • Real-time trading community
  • Options TV
To begin commenting right away, you can log in below using your Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, OpenID or Yahoo login credentials. Alternatively, you can post a comment as a "guest" just by entering an email address. Your use of the commenting tool is subject to multiple terms of service/use and privacy policies - see here for more details.
DOW 15,307.17 -80.41 -0.52%
NASDAQ 3,463.30 -38.82 -1.11%
S&P 500 1,655.35 -13.81 -0.83%
US 10 Yr 2.026% +0.082

Brokerage Partners

Advertising Partners
Special Features

Free Newsletters from TheStreet

After the Bell

Before the Bell

Booyah! Newsletter

Midday Bell

TheStreet Top 10 Stories

Winners & Losers

We respect your privacy. Manage Newsletters
Top Rated Stocks Top Rated Funds Top Rated ETFs