KARACHI: Nielsen, a global provider of consumer insights, revealed that Pakistan consumer confidence held steady at 99 for two consecutive quarters, said a press release on Wednesday.

“A score of 99 in the first as well as the second quarter of this year is the highest we’ve seen since the second quarter of 2011,” said Nielsen Pakistan Managing Director Mustafa Moosajee.

The Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions polled more than 30,000 online consumers in 60 countries throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and North America.

Focus shifts to Apple’s iPhone launch

SANTA CLARA: A rise in margins has raised hopes that Apple Inc may be able to hold the line on pricing ahead of the launch of new iPhones later this year. Apple’s shares were set to open slightly higher at $95.33.

At least six brokerages raised their price targets on the stock by as much as $12 to a high of $123.

Apple’s gross margin rose to 39.4 per cent in the third quarter from 36.9pc a year earlier, and the company forecast margins of 37-38pc for the current quarter.

iPhone sales tail off in the quarters before a new launch, usually in September, as potential buyers hold off purchases.

The world’s most valuable technology company forecast revenue of $37bn-$40bn for the current quarter, lower than the average analyst estimate of $40.44bn.—Reuters

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2014