3 Apple Suppliers to Watch as WWDC Kicks Off

Apple is trading at record highs ahead of the event

Apple (AAPL) will kick off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) today, with the tech titan expected to unveil updates to its operating systems, including iOS 12, and new tools to help users spend less time on their iPhones. While Apple stock is fresh off a record high ahead of the highly anticipated event, suppliers Cirrus Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS), Qualcomm, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM), and Skyworks Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:SWKS) are all worth keeping an eye on this week, too.

Cirrus Logic Stock at Risk for Bear Notes

Unlike Apple, Cirrus Logic stock has been charting a path steadily lower over the last 12 months -- down nearly 46%. The shares have been pressured by their 50-day moving average, which recently emerged as a staunch ceiling following the stock's rebound off its April 25 annual low at $34.78. The security is getting a halo lift today, though, up 1.5% at $36.98.

In spite of this dreary technical backdrop, four of 10 analysts still maintain a "buy" or better rating on CRUS stock. Plus, the average 12-month price target of $47.60 is a 28% premium to current trading levels. A round of downgrades and/or price-target cuts could be in store for the struggling security.

Short Sellers Target Qualcomm Stock

Qualcomm stock is down 0.6% to trade at $58.25. Disbanded trade talks between the U.S. and China could be weighing on the shares, considering the latter's market regulator has yet to approve the chipmaker's buyout of NXP Semiconductors (NXPI).

Technical resistance could also be coming into play, with the shares' brief trek into positive territory earlier being quickly contained by QCOM's 200-day moving average. Just above here is the round $60 mark, which halted the stock's recent rally off its late-April lows.

Short sellers are likely hoping today's losses accumulate. Short interest on QCOM shot up 10% in the most recent reporting period to 18.59 million shares. However, this accounts for just 1.3% of the stock's float, meaning there's plenty more room on the equity's bearish bandwagon.

Skyworks Solutions Stares Up at Technical Resistance

Skyworks Solutions stock is also trading lower ahead of WWDC -- down 1.3% at $99.66. The shares rallied hard off their late-April lows near $86, but have run out of steam near the centry mark, home to their 80-day moving average and a 50% Fibonacci retracement of their March through April plunge.

Most analysts are upbeat toward SWKS, though. Of the 25 brokerages with coverage on the tech stock, 19 maintain a "strong buy" recommendation, while the consensus 12-month price target of $112.63 is a 13% premium to the equity's present perch.

Elsewhere, short-term options traders have rarely been as call-skewed toward SWKS stock as they are now. The security's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.05 ranks in the 2nd percentile of its annual range.