Foxconn tests wireless charging for iPhone 8: source
TAIPEI -- Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known as Foxconn Technology Group, is making wireless charging modules to go with the iPhone's 10th anniversary range slated for release in 2017, according to an industry source familiar with the matter.
"But whether the feature can eventually make it into Apple's updated devices will depend on whether Foxconn can boost the yield rate to a satisfactory level later on," the source said.
Yield rate measures the number of satisfactory units in the production of a batch of components. If the yield rate of a component is low, then its production could be deemed to be too unprofitable. In that scenario, there is a risk that the component will be left out of the final product.
The source adds that Foxconn is making modules that will be incorporated into the handsets, but it is unclear whether all iPhone models for release in 2017 will come with the new function.
Apple Inc. did not respond to an email seeking clarification and Foxconn declined to comment.
The introduction of wireless charging capabilities is part of Apple's ongoing efforts to overhaul the iPhone design to boost sales during the 10th anniversary of its ubiquitous and iconic device that had transformed mobile internet and communications since the release of its first incarnation. For now, the new model has been widely dubbed iPhone 8, although Apple may christen it differently given the special occasion of its launch.
Apple suffered its first annual revenue decline since 2001 in the fiscal year ended in September largely due to a saturated smartphone market and sluggish demand for its latest iPhone 7 series, which had been criticized for a lack of innovative features.
The Nikkei Asian Review reported on Oct. 26 that Apple plans to replace iPhone's current metal casing with a glass back and a metal frame for all its three new handset models next year.
In addition, the premium 5.5.-inch handset will sport a curved organic light-emitting diode screen, while the other two models will stick with existing flat low temperature poly-silicon display, NAR has also reported.
Tai Jeng-wu, president of Sharp Corp, an iPhone LTPS panel supplier, confirmed in a speech on Saturday that future iPhones would employ OLED display, although he did not specify when Apple would make the switch. The Japanese electronics conglomerate is now controlled by Foxconn.
While wireless charging and curved OLED display are going to be new features for iPhones, some premium Android handsets have been offering these for a while.
Samsung Electronics' S6 Edge, S7 Edge and the now terminated Note 7, and Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi's latest Note 2 all have curved OLED screens.
Likewise, the Android camp has been offering a built-in wireless charging feature for some time now, with South Korea's Samsung and LG Electronics leading the trend.
--> ARIA +3.08% in Pre-Open "9.05 vs 8.78 - 9.01/9.05 - 30k shares traded
Ariad Pharm announces the FDA has accepted for review the NDA for its brigatinib in patients with metastatic ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer who have progressed on crizotinib
The FDA granted ARIAD's request for Priority Review and has set an action date of April 29, 2017 under the PDUFA.
- Co's NDA submission includes clinical data from its Phase 1/2 and pivotal Phase 2 ALTA trials of brigatinib.
- Co plans to submit a MAA for brigatinib to the EMA in early 2017.
Early premarket gappers
Gapping up: MRVL +10.3%, BHI +7.7%, DNR +5.4%, LVLT +5.2%, LVLT +5.2%, WTI +4%, ERJ +3.5%, CHKP +3.1%, SWHC+2.2%, VALE +2.2%, INCR +1.8%, MU +1.7%, LL +1.5%, BBL +1.4%, VRX +1.2%, ABX +1.2%, NVS +1.2%, STM +1.2%, AUY+1.2%, AUY +1.2%, BHP +1.1%, DDD +1%, AG +0.8%, TSLA +0.8%, SO +0.8%, GE +0.7%, RIO +0.7%, CNHI +0.5%
Gapping down: GRVY -8.2%, CTL -7.9%, DM -3.8%, UCP -2.5%, CONE -1.9%, NKE -1.8%, SYT -1.8%, ROP -1.7%, NVO -1.6%,TEVA -1.3%, IROQ -0.9%, CAH -0.7%
Gapping down: GRVY -8.2%, CTL -7.9%, DM -3.8%, UCP -2.5%, CONE -1.9%, NKE -1.8%, SYT -1.8%, ROP -1.7%, NVO -1.6%,TEVA -1.3%, IROQ -0.9%, CAH -0.7%
Gapping down
In reaction to disappointing earnings/guidance:
In reaction to disappointing earnings/guidance:
- ZBH -9%, CTL -7.7%, BSFT -5.1%, DM -3.3%, UCP -2.5%, ROP -1.7%, LL -1.2%, IROQ -0.9%, CAH -0.7%
Other news:
- MEMP -40.4% (confirms plans to suspend quarterly cash distributions and initiates process to explore strategic alternatives)
- GRVY -2.1% (modestly pulling back following Friday's strength post earnings)
- PGNX -1.8% (receives notification of a Paragraph IV certification for certain patents for RELISTOR)
- MOMO -0.5% (Chief Technology Officer Zhiwei Li resigns for personal reasons effective November 1)
Analyst comments:
- NKE -1.9% (downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at BofA/Merrill )
- NVO -1.4% (downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup )
- XOM -0.9% (downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman; removed from Conviction Buy List)
- ABBV -0.7% (downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse)
- HD -0.6% (downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Jaffray)
- LOW -0.5% (downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Jaffray)
Gapping up
In reaction to strong earnings/guidance:
In reaction to strong earnings/guidance:
- CVEO +16.1%, L +6%, ITUB +4.5%, ERJ +3.5%, HMC +3.4%, CHKP +3.1%, WMB +2.5%,
- INCR +1.8%, EW +0.9%, SO +0.8%, CNHI +0.5%, DO +0.5%
M&A news:
- TMH +15.6% (to be acquired by Blackstone (BX) for $43.50 per share in cash, or approximately $6.1 bln; deal includes a 40-day go-shop period)
- BHI +7.9% (General Electric and Baker Hughes (BHI) confirm deal to combine GE's oil and gas business with Baker Hughes)
- LVLT +7% (to be acquired by CenturyLink (CTL) for $66.50/share)
- SXCP +2.1% (receives proposal from SunCoke Energy (SXC) to acquire all of co's common units not it doesn't already own at an implied purchase price of $17.80)
- GE +1.1% (General Electric and Baker Hughes (BHI) confirm deal to combine GE's oil and gas business with Baker Hughes)
Select metals/mining stocks trading higher: BBL +1.6%, BHP +1.2%, VALE +0.9%, RIO +0.8%, ABX +0.5%, AG +0.5%, .
Other news:
Other news:
- CPRX +17.3% (receives an SPA from the FDA for second phase 3 clinical trial evaluating firdapse for the treatment of LEMS)
- OMER +5.1% (requests fast track designation from the FDA for the development of OMS721 for the treatment of Berger's disease)
- VAL +4% (Valspar and Sherwin-Williams (SHW) respond to 'unfounded' market rumors, say they continue to cooperate fully with the FTC staff)
- SWHC +2.1% (expands the company's existing revolving line of credit)
- SCTY +2.1% (Elon Musk revealed Solar roof plus Powerwall 2.0)
Analyst comments:
- WM +1.3% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill)
- DE +1% (upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Robert W. Baird)
Gapping down
In reaction to disappointing earnings/guidance:
In reaction to disappointing earnings/guidance:
- ZBH -9%, CTL -7.7%, BSFT -5.1%, DM -3.3%, UCP -2.5%, ROP -1.7%, LL -1.2%, IROQ -0.9%, CAH -0.7%
Other news:
- MEMP -40.4% (confirms plans to suspend quarterly cash distributions and initiates process to explore strategic alternatives)
- GRVY -2.1% (modestly pulling back following Friday's strength post earnings)
- PGNX -1.8% (receives notification of a Paragraph IV certification for certain patents for RELISTOR)
- MOMO -0.5% (Chief Technology Officer Zhiwei Li resigns for personal reasons effective November 1)
Analyst comments:
- NKE -1.9% (downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at BofA/Merrill )
- NVO -1.4% (downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup )
- XOM -0.9% (downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman; removed from Conviction Buy List)
- ABBV -0.7% (downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse)
- HD -0.6% (downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Jaffray)
- LOW -0.5% (downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Jaffray)
Sika: control tweaks
A court victory will not stop the use of two-tier share structures
Bad news for Swiss bigwigs. On Friday night, a cantonal court ruled that a controlling shareholder could not turf out those directors who had the temerity to oppose a sale that disenfranchised ordinary shareholders.
The Burkard family wanted to sell its stake in cement additives maker Sika — less than a fifth of the equity, but more than half the votes — to Saint-Gobain, a French construction products company. Sika’s directors argued that such a change of control requires a premium paid to all shareholders. The Burkards tried to remove the directors, who responded by invoking a provision in the company’s articles of association to restrict the family’s voting rights.
Such clauses are not universal so the ruling, subject to appeal, will not end the use of enhanced voting rights. Given this deal, agreed in 2014, remains in court should make other controlling shareholders think twice before trampling over minority rights.