Apple Guides December Services Growth at 8% to 9% Amid Gross Margin Pressures

Apple Inc. projected December quarter gross margins will narrow to between 45% and 46% due to rising memory component costs, prompting after-hours pressure on its stock despite record September quarter performance. Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh guided Services revenue growth of 8% to 9% for the December quarter, citing licensing and foreign exchange headwinds alongside App Store regulatory scrutiny. To offset pressure and bolster revenue, Apple indicated it may explore monetizing third-party artificial intelligence applications and partnerships.