Apple Inc. said on Wednesday it expects its gross margin to fall in coming quarters, echoing earlier comments, as it sells a larger mix of products such as the iPad.
Apple reported a gross margin of 39.4 percent in fiscal 2010, down from 40.1 percent in 2009.
The company introduced the iPad last April and has priced its aggressively as it tries to capitalize on its first-mover advantage in the tablet market.
Analysts widely expect Apple’s margins to decline as the iPad becomes a larger percentage of Apple’s overall revenue.
In its 10-K document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple said it “expects its gross margin percentage to decrease in future periods compared to levels achieved during 2010.”
“This expected decline is largely due to a higher mix of new and innovative products…and expected and potential future component cost and other cost increases.”
The company made similar comments in last year’s 10-K.
Apple has forecast a gross margin for the December quarter of 36 percent.
Shares of Cupertino, California-based Apple closed at $307.83 on Nasdaq, down 0.07 percent.
