Breaking news

Apple Shares Hit An All-time High

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 12, 2024

Shares of Apple jumped to a record high on Tuesday, marking their biggest daily gain since late 2022. The big jump came after Wall Street welcomed the iPhone maker’s long-awaited announcement about its plans for generative artificial intelligence .

KEY FACTS

Apple shares rose more than 7% to $207, about $8 higher than the previous record close and topped $200 for the first time.
That sent Apple’s market capitalization jumping from roughly $215 billion to $3.2 trillion, ranking among the 10 biggest daily market value jumps in history.
The rally came a day after Apple announced various AI features that will be integrated into the iPhone and other devices later this year, the most notable of which is the integration of OpenAI’s hit AI-generating chatbot ChatGPT directly into iPhone apps.
Even after the sharp jump, Apple remains behind Microsoft as the world’s most valuable company, a title Apple lost in January. Apple has narrowed the market capitalization gap between it and Microsoft to less than $50 billion.

IMPORTANT QUOTE

“Apple’s WWDC keynote showed enough improvements to reassure us of the expected upgrade cycle with the release of iPhone 16 and the release of iOS18 in the fall of this year,” wrote JPMorgan analysts led by Samik Chatterjee. Apple could certainly use a rekindling of iPhone sales, which are expected to fall to their lowest level since 2020 in the current quarter, according to consensus analyst estimates compiled by FactSet.

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BIG NUMBER

7%. That’s how much Apple shares have risen in price since the beginning of the year. That’s far worse than the S&P 500’s 13% gain, but still marks a significant stock market turnaround for Apple, whose shares were down 12% year-to-date as of the end of April.

CONTRA

Apple regained its position as Wall Street’s second most valuable company after losing it to Nvidia last week. The leader in chip manufacturing received a market valuation of 3.003 trillion. dollar. However, Nvidia is currently valued at $2.9 trillion. dollars, while Apple exceeds a valuation of 3.1 trillion. dollar.

KEY STORY

Apple finally unveiled its overarching generative AI offerings “Apple Intelligence” on Monday, a highly anticipated announcement that heralded upcoming upgrades to the iPhone’s Siri voice assistant and messaging, all powered by OpenAI. Apple seems to have fallen behind with the integration of artificial intelligence compared to its major technological rivals such as Alphabet and Meta, and it may be a strategy, analysts say. “Apple’s position seems to be that it doesn’t need to pursue AI. Instead, it leaves that up to Meta, OpenAI and others, saving billions,” Rosenblatt analyst Barton Crockett summarized.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Airbnb Unveils Reserve Now, Pay Later Option For U.S. Guests

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 15, 2025

Introduction

Airbnb has introduced an innovative payment solution designed to enhance user flexibility for U.S. travellers. The new “Reserve Now, Pay Later” feature enables users to secure a booking without an upfront payment, offering a streamlined cancellation process should plans change.

Flexible Payment Terms

This new option applies to listings that feature either flexible or moderate cancellation policies. Under a flexible policy, guests can cancel their reservation up to 24 hours before check-in, while a moderate policy offers no-fee cancellations until five days prior to arrival.

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Payment Timing and Reminders

Regardless of the cancellation window, guests are obligated to complete the full payment before the expiration of the free cancellation period. Airbnb ensures a smooth experience by sending timely payment reminders to avoid any last-minute issues.

Evolution of Airbnb’s Payment Solutions

This initiative builds on Airbnb’s previous forays into flexible payment structures. In 2018, the company offered a partial upfront payment model, and more recently, a collaboration with Klarna enabled guests to pay in four installments over six weeks. Such strategic advancements demonstrate Airbnb’s commitment to adapting and refining its payment solutions to meet evolving consumer demands.

Consumer Insight Driving Innovation

Airbnb’s decision to launch the “Reserve Now, Pay Later” feature reflects robust consumer demand, with recent surveys indicating that 55% of respondents prefer flexible payment options. Additionally, 42% noted missed opportunities due to payment complexities when coordinating with travel companions, underlining the need for simplified financial arrangements.

Conclusion

By enhancing payment flexibility, Airbnb not only broadens its appeal but also addresses critical customer pain points, reinforcing its position as a leader in the evolving travel market. This initiative exemplifies how strategic innovation can drive customer satisfaction in an increasingly competitive landscape.