The stock market gave up ground on Monday, falling back from record levels set during the holiday-shortened week before the July 4 market holiday. Weighing on investors were continued worries about the ability of the market to keep pressing higher after more than five years of bull-market gains, along with uncertainty about the course of future Federal Reserve policy that could bring the stock market's advances to a premature end. There were relatively few extremely strong performers Monday, but Apple (AAPL 0.28%), Cirrus Logic (CRUS 0.98%), and InvenSense (INVN) were among those that managed to post gains.
Source: Apple.
Apple gained 2% as analysts argued that the tech giant's sales for June showed strength. By looking at data from the companies that supply Apple with the components and services it needs to produce its smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, analysts judge whether they believe Apple is seeing increased sales of its products. With most investors who follow the stock looking forward to the release of the much-anticipated iPhone 6 and also hoping for news on a possible wearable device such as an iWatch, it would be very good news for Apple if consumers aren't holding back from buying current products like the iPhone 5s rather than waiting for updated models months down the road. Apple has a lot at stake with its next round of updated and new devices, but shareholders remain optimistic that Apple can find success despite doubts among skeptics.
Cirrus Logic gained 5%. The component maker's fortunes have long been tied to Apple's, and so today's performance appears to be a fairly common riding on Apple's coattails. Even with today's gains, many investors remain worried that the news for Cirrus Logic going forward might not be nearly as favorable as it has been in the past, with some speculating that the producer of audio-related equipment for Apple devices might not find a place for its power-amplifier components in the new iPhone 6. Cirrus already suffered the loss of a spot for its audio amplifier in the iPad Air, and so the stock trades at relatively modest earnings multiples. If Cirrus picks up an iPhone 6 win, it could easily lift shares even further.
Similarly, InvenSense rose 6%, rising to a new yearly high as investors believe that the maker of integrated gyroscopes, accelerometers, and pressure sensors could also see increasing market share with the release of the iPhone 6 as well as any wearable technology. InvenSense has been a first-mover in wearables, and Apple is far from the only company interested in InvenSense technology as the Internet of Things also starts to ramp up. InvenSense isn't nearly as strong a value play as Cirrus Logic is, but many believe that the stock's upside potential is far greater as well.
