Apple Inc. (AAPL) Achieves Growth in Slow Market

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) isn’t the only company hoping the PC market returns to its former glory, all the while realizing this is not likely to happen any time in the near future (if ever again).

The leaders in the PC market continue to grow, despite the fact that the market as a whole remains slow.

According to IDC, worldwide PC shipments pushed past 80 million units (to 80.8 million) in the final quarter of 2014. However, this shows a year over year decline of 2.4 percent.

Overall, there are signs that the PC market has what it takes to remain strong in the years to come. IDC Vice President, Worldwide PC Tracker Loren Loverde added the following:

“The strength from market leaders, as well as improvement in Asia/Pacific and the consumer market more generally, are positive signs for the PC market.”

Where is Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)?

When taking into consideration worldwide shipments, Cupertino remains in the number five position.

With 7.1 percent market share during the fourth quarter of 2014, Apple is a far way off from catching Lenovo, the industry leader with 19.9 percent of the market.

The good news for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is this: the company only had 5.8 percent market share during the final quarter of 2013, signifying strong growth over the 12 month period.

Furthermore, and just as importantly, is the fact that Apple is even closer to taking over the number four position, which is currently held down by Acer Group with 7.7 percent. The gap at the end of Q3 2013 was 1.5 percent, but Apple has successfully cut this in half.

If Apple wants to continue its strong growth, aiming for the number four spot, the United States market may be where it starts. The US PC market once again outperformed the global market, with IDC expecting “flat to slightly positive growth” moving forward. In 2015, a slowdown in the tablet market should benefit PC vendors.

The PC market is not what it used to be, as consumers have turned their attention to mobile devices, with smartphones all the rage.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) may not be the leader of the PC market, but its slow and steady growth is something to keep an eye on in the quarters to come. If Cupertino performs as well this year as last, don’t be surprised if it surpasses Acer Group soon enough.

Disclosure: none