News
Apple margin outlook pressures tech as oil gains amid midterm voting
Apple’s pre‑market shares fell after a gross margin forecast of 45‑46% disappointed investors despite revenue of $114.48 bn and EPS of $2.10, prompting analysts to cut price targets. Oil prices rose following reports of a U.S. strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island, with geopolitical tension adding to market volatility. Midterm elections are underway, affecting sectors such as defence, healthcare, crypto and AI. North Korea denied involvement in the $6.3 bn Binance hack, rejecting accusations linking the breach to a state‑linked hacking group. The brief covers market futures, AI stock corrections, and upcoming CNBC programming.