2014 has been the most happening year for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) mainly because of its iPhone 6 release; the company for the first time launched its bigger screen iPhones, Apple Pay and also introduced its Apple watch. According to search engine statistics Apple’s stock is the most searched one in the year 2014, which clearly shows its popularity.
According to Jeff Macke from Yahoo Finance, 2014 proved to be a monster year for Apple as the company not only launched new products but also managed to attract more retail investors towards the company. The company managed to have a market capitalization of more than $640 billion.
This shows that Apple has had a highly successful year. According to Yahoo, the CEO of Apple Tim Cook gave his own personal touch to Apple’s products. By launching phablet sized phones, iPhone 6 and 6 plus Tim Cook has made it a point to declare that he is now the CEO of Apple. Many analysts believe that the former owner and CEO Steve Jobs would have never increased the size of iPhones; therefore it can be said that Tim Cook got it right.
According to expectations of market analysts, Apple should be able to do well in 2015 as well. With the release of Apple Watch, the company will step into the year with a great launch. Apple Watch is the company’s debut as far as the wearable market is concerned and the product is highly anticipated by Apple users and Apple of course has its fingers crossed for the success of the product. According to analysts the luxury watch dealers and jewelers will showcase Apple Watch.
According to reports Apple hired major retail industry representatives like the sales director of TAG Heuer as well as the former CEO of Burberry, which indicate that the company is planning to brand its Apple Watch as a high-end fashion product.
Apart from Apple Watch another project of Apple remained in the highlight in 2014, which was Apple Pay. At first some major retailers had their doubts about the payment method, but despite that the tech giant’s mobile payment system managed to make its mark. However, Tavis McCourt, Raymond James who is the Financial Managing Director informed CNBC that Apple’s payment method by itself is not sufficient to boost the company’s stock. The mobile payment can however help in increasing the iPhone’s market share. McCourt also believes that Apple is following a marketing strategy that has a limit; however the company at this point in time is nowhere near that limit.
According to analysts the sales of iPhone 6 in 2014 is just the beginning for Apple. Apple still has to face competition outside the U.S where, despite Apple’s popularity and loyalty of customers, the company does lose a significant number of buyers due to its high-end prices and that is where Android makes an entry. Android consistently does well in some parts of the world due to its affordability as well as good services.
Apple is a huge company and people globally wait for new Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) products to hit the market and therefore in the midst of stiff competition and rivals it is expected that the company will continue to do well in 2015 as well.
