Tim Cook Warns Against Trying to Interpret Supply Chain Order Rumors

timcookTim Cook broadly addressed recent rumors that Apple may have cut iPhone 5 orders on weak demand. That particular rumor gained significant attention, resulting in a notable dip in Apple's stock price.

Cook was careful not to address any particular rumor, but warned against trying to interpret single data points, even if they happened to be accurate:

Months of rumors about order cuts and so forth, so let me take a moment to comment on these. No comment on any particular rumor.

I suggest its good to question the accuracy of any kind of rumor about build plans. Even if a particular data point were factual, it would be impossible to interpret that data point as to what it meant to our business. The supply chain is very complex and we have multiple sources for things. Yields can vary, supplier performance can vary. There is an inordinate long list of things that can make any single data point not a great proxy for what is going on.

Cook made the comments during today's Q1 Results conference call.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Foldable Thumb

First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed

Monday February 2, 2026 7:19 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...

Top Rated Comments

applesith Avatar
170 months ago
Analysts buy on rumors of unreal expectations.

WSJ picks up article by analysts with misinformation. Stock drops.

There is no accountability in the media anymore. It's a sham. The media chooses who they want to win regardless of the facts and what is actually happening.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dwalls90 Avatar
170 months ago
*cough* wall street journal *cough*
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mike Valmike Avatar
170 months ago
Analysts,

Please continue to beat up on AAPL and drive its price back down into the double digits or lower. I need to buy a whole truckload of the stuff before they announce their television set and the market blows it up to over $1000/share. Daddy needs a new Acura next year.

Thank you,
Every investor with a clue about Apple ever

/how anyone can look at that P/E ratio and call it an underperform makes me wonder if crack cocaine is just legal on Wall Street these days or something
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neiltc13 Avatar
170 months ago
So basically he is asking the shareholders to maintain blind faith in the face of disappointing results.

There's no smoke without fire.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bubba Satori Avatar
170 months ago
Damage control isn't nearly as cool as insanely great.

Tim needs to get back to his old job interfacing with the UPS logisitics guy
and Apple needs to find somebody with some vision and passion.

Just sayin'.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
koban4max Avatar
170 months ago
bottom line: why are we concern about apple's business? that's their business...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)