Apple stock is leading the technology sector higher today as major U.S. stock indices rally following two days of Brexit-induced carnage. Despite the declines in the iPhone maker’s stock amid the broader market selloff, it still outperformed the Dow Jones Industrial Average. So is Brexit good, bad or neutral for Apple stock? And what about Tesla and SolarCity, two other stocks that have been buffeted a lot lately?
Apple stock rallies after Brexit fallout
Apple stock bounced early this morning after two years of declines due to fallout from the U.K.’s vote to exit the European Union. The iPhone maker’s shares declined 4.2% on Friday and Monday, compared to the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s 4.8% decline over the same two days. Trefis analysts suggested in a post on Forbes that Apple might saw its U.K. business shrink because the weaker pound might push it to raise prices there, which could reduce its U.K. sales.
However, if it leaves prices the same, its dollar margins will take a hit. Overall though, the impact on Apple should be fairly small since FactSet data shows that its U.K. business contributed just 2.3% of its sales over the last 12 months.
Trefis analysts suggested that the Brexit vote could be good for Apple because a stronger dollar may reduce its cost base because most of its contract suppliers are overseas. Sales to Japan could also become more valuable in dollars as the safe haven yen surged versus the U.S. dollar due to the Brexit vote.
Apple stock rallied in early morning trades, touching $93.07 before reversing course again. As of this writing the stock is up 0.51% at $92.50 per share.
Brexit may be good for SolarCity
Tesla Motors and SolarCity have attracted a lot of attention since the former entered a bid to acquire the latter. The Brexit vote only increased the volatility both stocks are seeing. Interestingly, the U.K.’s vote to exit the European Union could be bad for one and good for the other, according to analysts.
Needham analyst Edwin Mok said on Friday that SolarCity and other U.S. alternative energy companies might be somewhat insulated from the Brexit fallout. He said SolarCity doesn’t have much international exposure, which is a good thing at a time like this. He believes it will benefit from this if the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to hold interest rates at their current levels. In contrast, Mok sees First Solar and SolarEdge as being more exposed to the fallout from Brexit. Most of SolarEdge’s sales are priced in euros, so any weakness in the currency will directly impact its profits.
Brexit might hurt Tesla
On the other hand, Brexit may have a negative impact on Tesla Motors. Teslarati highlighted that Tesla’s technical outlook has been very negative with 14 negative and five positive sessions in the Heikin Ashi charts this month. Additionally, the 200-day moving average of $218 is much higher than the current share price, and the MACD is negative and growing more so while MACD averages decline and diverge.
But bearish investor technicals aren’t the only problem facing Tesla right now. Auto sales in general are expected to be hit hard by Brexit, and Tesla’s Model S is Western Europe’s bestselling luxury car, according to Forbes. Further, approximately 30% of last year’s sales came from the region, Teslarati added.
Tesla shares rallied to as high as $204.05 before pulling back slightly on Tuesday, while SolarCity stock surged by as much as 5.7% to $23.91 per share with no signs of slowing down at midday.
