That's what Wedge Partners analyst Brian Blair says. The analyst writes in a note to clients today that the reports of a 50% cut in orders for iPhone related components due to weakening demand for the iPhone "are simply erroneous."
He says it does appear to be the case that Apple has trimmed some panel orders for the iPhone and iPod Touch as well as for the iPad and the MacBook, but he does not find the cuits alarming. "We see these cuts as primarily related to normal seasonal patterns coming off of the holiday period and believe they are within a normal 15-25% range, not the 50% range that was reported over the weekend," he writes.
The analyst adds that Apple was ordering panels aggressively in the November/December time period due to low yields at the time. As panel yields have improved, Apple has been able to reduce orders, he says.
Blair say he continues to see iPhone unit sales of 50 million for the December quarter and 40 million for the March quarter. For the 2013 calendar year, he raises his unit forecast to 180 million from 163 million. Blair also thinks that Apple could shorten the refresh windows for the next iPhone, with a June launch possible "in an effort to stave off intensifying competition from Samsung."
Apple shares, which have been under intense selling pressure in recent sessions, today is up $22.86, or 4.7%, to $508.78.
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