Semiconductor companies comprise half of IBD’s current top 10 stocks, powered by Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone or GoPro’s action camera. Avago Technologies (AVGO), NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) and Skyworks Solutions (SWKS) all benefit from strong smartphone sales, Pacific Crest Securities analyst John Vinh said in a research report Monday. “Our monthly carrier surveys indicate that December smartphone sell-through was largely in line with store expectations,
Beyond the introduction of the Apple Watch, little is known for sure about what the ever-secretive Apple (AAPL) plans to introduce in 2015. Among the possible new products from Apple include a jumbo-size tablet, a subscription streaming video service and wireless, heartbeat-sensing headphones. Apple Watch debuts. Apple plans to debut its Apple Watch early in the year, but hasn’t given a more precise timeframe. Analyst speculation ranges from mid-February (Valentine’s Day) to sometime in April. The smartwatch-fitness tracker will start at $349, but Apple hasn’t detailed pricing for the device, which will come in two screen sizes and three designs. Industry observers disagree on whether the Apple Watch will succeed or fail, and they vary widely on first-year sales estimates. Union Square Ventures partner Fred Wilson on Thursday predicted that Apple Watch will be a flop. “Another market where the reality will not live up to the hype is wearables,”