• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Europe sent its gold to the U.S. for safekeeping during World War II. Central banks are now reshuffling their reserves for a new era of uncertainty

2

Susan Dell is the one running the Dells’ $10 billion giving operation—and her biggest bets are on kids, health care, and UT Austin

3

Iran is running out of money and can’t even pay its troops as U.S. blockade chokes the economy, Central Command says, while domestic unrest grows

1

Europe sent its gold to the U.S. for safekeeping during World War II. Central banks are now reshuffling their reserves for a new era of uncertainty

2

Susan Dell is the one running the Dells’ $10 billion giving operation—and her biggest bets are on kids, health care, and UT Austin

3

Iran is running out of money and can’t even pay its troops as U.S. blockade chokes the economy, Central Command says, while domestic unrest grows
Apple

Apple Suppliers Cut Forecasts Over ‘Extraordinary’ China Demand Shift

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 18, 2019, 8:38 AM ET
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

There are more signs of trouble ahead for Apple in China.

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) and Nidec, two of Apple’s top and most important suppliers, cut their 2019 forecasts this week, citing “extraordinary” declines in Chinese consumer demand. According to the Nikkei, TSMC anticipates a year-over-year revenue drop of 22% compared to the same period in 2018. Nidec has cut its anticipated profit by 25%, according to the report.

Neither TSMC nor Nidec mentioned Apple or any other customer by name, but TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said that the company had witnessed a “sudden drop in demand” for higher-end smartphones. Nidec chairman Shigenobu Nagamori said that his company’s bearish outlook on 2019 was largely based on the “big slumps in November and December” it was forced to withstand.

TSMC is arguably the biggest cause for concern in Apple’s universe. The company is the only supplier for the processors Apple bundles inside its iPhones. While TSMC has several other customers across a variety of industries, Apple is unarguably one of its most important. Nidec supplies the vibration motor inside the iPhone.

The suppliers’ comments come just weeks after Apple announced that it had to cut its fiscal first quarter guidance by $5 billion due to unexpectedly lower demand for iPhones in China. Apple also signaled that troubles there could persist and said that it was embarking on new strategies, including making it easier for people to trade in old handsets, to offset some of those declines.

Both Apple and its suppliers also cited the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China as increasingly troublesome. TSMC CFO Lora Ho was especially concerned with the dispute, saying that it “causes a lot of uncertainties, which is a negative factor for demand and the business environment.”

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Recommended For You

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.