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Luca Maestri to Step Down as Apple CFO, The CFO Position at Apple, Apple Succession Planning

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following story:

  • Luca Maestri to Step Down as Apple CFO

  • The CFO Position at Apple

  • Apple Succession Planning

For today's update, we will focus on the Apple CFO news. The email begins with my thoughts on Apple’s announcement that Luca Maestri will be stepping down as CFO. It’s a good time to recap the unique role finance and the CFO play within Apple. We conclude with an observation regarding how Apple seems to be handling succession.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

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Thoughts on the U.S. v. Google Verdict (Part 2)

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following story:

  • Thoughts on the U.S. v. Google Verdict (Part 2)

We will continue to focus on the U.S. v. Google verdict. After reading through the 286-page ruling, my notes came out to about three updates worth of material. After a significant amount of reduction and editing, we used two updates to talk about the ruling and its potential fallout (with Apple in mind). Yesterday’s update went over all of the interesting details / tidbits from the ruling. Today’s update is focused on my thoughts on the ruling and how Apple may be impacted.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

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Thoughts on the U.S. v. Google Verdict (Part 1)

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following story:

  • Thoughts on the U.S. v. Google Verdict (Part 1)

We are going to focus on the U.S. v. Google verdict. After reading through the 286-page ruling, my notes came out to about three updates worth of material. After a significant amount of reduction and editing, we are going to use two updates to talk about the ruling and its potential fallout (with Apple in mind).

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

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Apple’s 3Q24 Earnings, The iPhone Is a Powder Keg

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following story:

  • Apple’s 3Q24 Earnings, The iPhone Is a Powder Keg

Welcome to a special Friday edition of the Above Avalon Daily. We will begin our Apple earnings review. The discussion will flow over into next week. Let's jump right in.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

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How Apple Intelligence Was Developed, Ranking Apple Intelligence Features, AAPL’s Wacky Price Action

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • How Apple Intelligence Was Developed

  • Ranking Apple Intelligence Features

  • AAPL’s Wacky Price Action

There is value found in spending time on the details regarding how Apple Intelligence was developed and functions. We will then go over my thoughts on the various Apple Intelligence features, ranking the features from most impressive to most concerning. We will then address AAPL price action.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Earnings Model. Access my working Apple earnings model (an Excel file that also works in Numbers).

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

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Apple Intelligence Is a Game Changer

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following story:

  • Apple Intelligence Is a Game Changer

Hello everyone. Given the way Apple put together the WWDC 2024 keynote, there is a natural divide that we will utilize for our review and analysis. The next two updates will be dedicated to Apple Intelligence. Today’s discussion will have a broader theme while we will go over the Apple Intelligence features and more on ChatGPT integration tomorrow. Thursday’s update will go over everything else from the keynote.

Yesterday, we had an entertaining (virtual) meetup in the member forum. If you haven't checked out how it went down, hop on over to the forum (using this link) and take a look. You can leave your own comments to any of the discussions as well.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Earnings Model. Access my working Apple earnings model (an Excel file that also works in Numbers).

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

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The iPad Event

Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topic:

  • The iPad Event

Hello everyone. Today's update will be dedicated to discussing Apple's iPad event. We will circle back to a few final things about Apple's 2Q24 earnings (and Warren Buffett news) tomorrow.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Earnings Model. Access my working Apple earnings model (an Excel file that also works in Numbers).

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

Read More
Focus Neil Cybart Focus Neil Cybart

Reading Between the Lines of Apple’s 2Q24 Earnings Q&A With Analysts

Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topic:

  • Reading Between the Lines of Apple’s 2Q24 Earnings Q&A With Analysts

Instead of just recapping the question and answer exchanges that occurred on Apple’s 2Q24 earnings call, we will go over Neil’s thoughts / response to each exchange. This will allow Neil to go beyond what was talked about on the call.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Earnings Model. Access my working Apple earnings model (an Excel file that also works in Numbers).

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

Read More
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Key Takeaways From Apple’s 2Q24 Earnings

Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topic:

  • Key Takeaways From Apple’s 2Q24 Earnings

Hello everyone. Welcome to a special Friday edition of the Above Avalon Daily. We will begin analyzing Apple’s 2Q24 earnings. There is a lot to unpack. The earnings review will take place across a few updates.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Earnings Model. Access my working Apple earnings model (an Excel file that also works in Numbers).

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

Read More
Focus Neil Cybart Focus Neil Cybart

Initial Thoughts on Apple’s 1Q24 Results, Apple’s 1Q24: By the Numbers, Parsing Apple’s 2Q24 Guidance

Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following stories:

  • Initial Thoughts on Apple’s 1Q24 Results

  • Apple’s 1Q24: By the Numbers

  • Parsing Apple’s 2Q24 Guidance

Apple’s 1Q24 earnings call was jam-packed with information. Unlike the average earnings call from Big Tech, Apple’s calls contain useful commentary and tidbits. More time will be needed to go through the disclosures, including the installed base information.

For today, we will look at the big picture from earnings, how the reported figures compared to my estimates, and Apple’s 2Q24 guidance.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this daily update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Payment is processed and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members.

Above Avalon members receive the full Above Avalon experience throughout the week.

The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Daily updates are 2,000 words and sent via email Monday through Thursday. Updates revolve around the following topics:

  • Apple business and strategy analysis.

  • Neil’s perspective and observations on current news and Apple competitors.

  • Neil’s Apple financial estimates.

  • Full coverage of Apple earnings, product events, and keynotes.

If it is of interest to Apple, it is something I pay attention to.

Member Privileges and Benefits

  • Receive Exclusive Daily Updates. The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil Cybart’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Updates are sent via email and go over current news and developments impacting Apple, its competitors, and the industries Apple plays in (or will play in). Approximately 200 daily updates are published throughout the year. Sample daily updates can be viewed here, here, and here.

  • Receive Exclusive Reports. Members have access to Neil’s reports, which are in-depth examinations of Apple's business, product, and financial strategy.

  • Customization Options. Members have the option of attaching various add-ons to their membership to customize their membership to their liking. Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons can be attached and then later removed seamlessly online.

  • Access Neil’s Earnings Model. Members have access to Neil’s working Apple earnings model (an Excel file that also works in Numbers). The model is fully functional and adjustable and provides the ability to alter earnings drivers.

  • Email Priority. Receive priority when it comes to having email questions and inquiries answered. Neil personally answers all inquiries, including customer service matters related to your membership.

  • Archive Access. Read 1,500+ daily updates and reports that have been previously sent to members. The Above Avalon member archive is unmatched in the marketplace in terms of the sheer amount of Apple analysis found in one location. The daily updates archive can be viewed here while the reports archive is available here.

  • Member Forum Access. Join other Above Avalon members in an active forum containing in-depth discussion and debate. Neil moderates and participates in the forum. The forum is run through Slack and can be accessed here.

  • Virtual Meet-ups. Talk with Neil about Apple and other related items in virtual meet-ups held via Slack throughout the year.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent source of Apple analysis. Above Avalon is fully sustained by its members.

Read More
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More on My Apple Vision Pro Demo, Apple’s Vision Pro Sales Pitch

Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following stories:

  • More on My Apple Vision Pro Demo

  • Apple’s Vision Pro Sales Pitch

Last Thursday, we went over Neil’s initial thoughts following his second Vision Pro demo. For today, we will kick things off with more about what actually occurred during Neil’s demo. This provides a look at how Apple is positioning Vision Pro at launch. The discussion will then go deeper into the Apple Vision Pro sales pitch.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this daily update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Payment is processed and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members.

Above Avalon members receive the full Above Avalon experience throughout the week.

The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Daily updates are 2,000 words and sent via email Monday through Thursday. Updates revolve around the following topics:

  • Apple business and strategy analysis.

  • Neil’s perspective and observations on current news and Apple competitors.

  • Neil’s Apple financial estimates.

  • Full coverage of Apple earnings, product events, and keynotes.

If it is of interest to Apple, it is something I pay attention to.

Member Privileges and Benefits

  • Receive Exclusive Daily Updates. The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil Cybart’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Updates are sent via email and go over current news and developments impacting Apple, its competitors, and the industries Apple plays in (or will play in). Approximately 200 daily updates are published throughout the year. Sample daily updates can be viewed here, here, and here.

  • Receive Exclusive Reports. Members have access to Neil’s reports, which are in-depth examinations of Apple's business, product, and financial strategy.

  • Customization Options. Members have the option of attaching various add-ons to their membership to customize their membership to their liking. Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons can be attached and then later removed seamlessly online.

  • Access Neil’s Earnings Model. Members have access to Neil’s working Apple earnings model (an Excel file that also works in Numbers). The model is fully functional and adjustable and provides the ability to alter earnings drivers.

  • Email Priority. Receive priority when it comes to having email questions and inquiries answered. Neil personally answers all inquiries, including customer service matters related to your membership.

  • Archive Access. Read 1,500+ daily updates and reports that have been previously sent to members. The Above Avalon member archive is unmatched in the marketplace in terms of the sheer amount of Apple analysis found in one location. The daily updates archive can be viewed here while the reports archive is available here.

  • Member Forum Access. Join other Above Avalon members in an active forum containing in-depth discussion and debate. Neil moderates and participates in the forum. The forum is run through Slack and can be accessed here.

  • Virtual Meet-ups. Talk with Neil about Apple and other related items in virtual meet-ups held via Slack throughout the year.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent source of Apple analysis. Above Avalon is fully sustained by its members.

Read More
Focus Neil Cybart Focus Neil Cybart

Thoughts After Using Apple Vision Pro for a Second Time

Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following story:

Thoughts After Using Apple Vision Pro for a Second Time

Earlier today, I experienced a 40-minute demo of Apple Vision Pro. The demo was about 10 minutes longer than the one that occurred at WWDC 2023. Across the two demos, I’ve spent about 70 minutes using Apple Vision Pro.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this daily update. Members can read the update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Payment is processed and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members.

Above Avalon members receive the full Above Avalon experience throughout the week.

The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Daily updates are 2,000 words and sent via email Monday through Thursday. Updates revolve around the following topics:

  • Apple business and strategy analysis.

  • Neil’s perspective and observations on current news and Apple competitors.

  • Neil’s Apple financial estimates.

  • Full coverage of Apple earnings, product events, and keynotes.

If it is of interest to Apple, it is something I pay attention to.

Member Privileges and Benefits

  • Receive Exclusive Daily Updates. The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil Cybart’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Updates are sent via email and go over current news and developments impacting Apple, its competitors, and the industries Apple plays in (or will play in). Approximately 200 daily updates are published throughout the year. Sample daily updates can be viewed here, here, and here.

  • Receive Exclusive Reports. Members have access to Neil’s reports, which are in-depth examinations of Apple's business, product, and financial strategy.

  • Customization Options. Members have the option of attaching various add-ons to their membership to customize their membership to their liking. Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons can be attached and then later removed seamlessly online.

  • Access Neil’s Earnings Model. Members have access to Neil’s working Apple earnings model (an Excel file that also works in Numbers). The model is fully functional and adjustable and provides the ability to alter earnings drivers.

  • Email Priority. Receive priority when it comes to having email questions and inquiries answered. Neil personally answers all inquiries, including customer service matters related to your membership.

  • Archive Access. Read 1,500+ daily updates and reports that have been previously sent to members. The Above Avalon member archive is unmatched in the marketplace in terms of the sheer amount of Apple analysis found in one location. The daily updates archive can be viewed here while the reports archive is available here.

  • Member Forum Access. Join other Above Avalon members in an active forum containing in-depth discussion and debate. Neil moderates and participates in the forum. The forum is run through Slack and can be accessed here.

  • Virtual Meet-ups. Talk with Neil about Apple and other related items in virtual meet-ups held via Slack throughout the year.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent source of Apple analysis. Above Avalon is fully sustained by its members.

Read More