Apple's Growth Has All But Vanished

Ever since the original iPhone was introduced in 2007, Apple has been growing at a breathtaking pace. Most recently though Apple's remarkable run has come to an end. Due in part to a lack of new products and in part to the company's ​slightly unhealthy dependence on the iPhone​, Apple is no longer able to maintain the level of growth its investors have gotten used to.

The company reported net sales of $57.6 billion for the holiday quarter and posted a net profit of $13 billion. iPhone sales fell short of expectations though, as the supposedly 'cheap' iPhone 5C apparently failed to hit a nerve with consumers. Analysts and investors, who had hoped that the new iPhone models would add momentum to Apple's smartphone business, were disappointed and Apple's shares are currently down 8 percent.

To really reignite its growth motor, Apple will probably need to release entirely new products, be it the long-rumoured Apple television or the equally infamous iWatch.