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Apple’s Services Engine Hits 1.5 Billion Subscribers, But Revenue Growth Faces New Pressure

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 31, 2026

Apple’s services business surpassed 1.5 billion paid subscriptions during the June quarter, up from 1 billion in January 2025, as the company continued to expand its ecosystem despite revenue coming in below Wall Street expectations.

Services revenue reached $30.74 billion, missing analysts’ estimate of $31.22 billion. The shortfall, together with weaker-than-expected performance in China, sent Apple shares down more than 4% in after-hours trading.

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App Store Growth Slows

Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh said several factors weighed on services revenue, including slower mobile gaming activity and changes to the App Store business model in some markets.

In the United States, court-ordered changes now allow developers to process payments outside the App Store, reducing Apple’s ability to collect commissions on some transactions. The legal dispute remains ongoing and is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Parekh did not quantify the financial impact of those changes.

Foreign Exchange Also Weighed On Results

According to Apple, foreign exchange was the largest factor behind the services revenue miss. Results were also affected by a difficult comparison with the prior year, when the theatrical release of F1 boosted performance.

Despite the weaker-than-expected revenue, the App Store recorded a June quarter revenue record. That figure includes Apple Ads, which recently expanded to Apple Maps.

Paid Subscriptions Continue To Grow

Apple said services revenue reached an all-time high across developed markets and a June quarter record in emerging markets. Double-digit growth was recorded in the vast majority of markets where the company operates.

“Our services continue to attract more customers, and we have now surpassed one and a half billion in paid subscriptions,” Parekh said. “Both transacting and paid accounts reached new all-time highs in the quarter, with double-digit growth for both in emerging markets.”

Multiple Services Posted Record Results

Apple said Apple Ads, the App Store, AppleCare, Apple Music and Apple TV each recorded June quarter revenue records. Cloud services and payment services reached all-time highs, while Apple TV reported record viewership during the quarter.

Apple Expands Services Offering

The company also highlighted newer products, including Creator Studio subscriptions and planned bill-splitting features for Apple Cash, as part of its expanding services portfolio.

Apple’s Upgrade program, launched with Klarna, is designed to simplify device purchases and could encourage more customers to adopt Apple products and services.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.