Akcie Apple v pátek vzrostly o 3 % poté, co Baird zvýšil cílovou cenu na 330 USD z 310 USD a ponechal doporučení Outperform před výsledky za fiskální 3. čtvrtletí.
Apple Inc. stock climbed 3% on Friday, outperforming much of the technology sector even as semiconductor stocks came under pressure.
The gains came after Baird raised its price target on the iPhone maker while maintaining an Outperform rating ahead of the company's upcoming quarterly earnings report.
The broader technology sector was weaker during the session. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.19%, while shares of Intel, Micron and Advanced Micro Devices declined between 1% and 5%.
Apple's relative strength comes as investors prepare for the company's fiscal third-quarter earnings report, scheduled for July 30, and assess several product and software initiatives expected over the coming months.
William Power, Senior Research Analyst at Baird, raised the price target on Apple to $330 from $310 on Thursday while reiterating its Outperform rating.
The brokerage expects Apple to deliver solid fiscal third-quarter results, supported by continued iPhone demand and stable growth in its services business.
While memory pricing remains a headwind, Baird expects recent price increases to help offset some of that pressure.
The brokerage acknowledged that Apple's valuation appears elevated compared with historical levels but believes several factors continue to support the stock.
Port in the storm (of software and mega-cap tech capex). We expect solid FQ3 results, driven by strong iPhone growth and steady services trends. Memory pricing remains a daunting headwind, though price increases should ease the pressure. Valuation looks rich relative to past trends, suggesting much may be priced in, but we expect the strong free cash flow, upcoming product cycle and early positive comments on Siri AI to support the stock. We also think Street estimates over the NTM are set up well, with potential for further upside.
According to Baird, Apple generated approximately $129 billion in free cash flow over the last twelve months, while an upcoming product cycle and encouraging early commentary surrounding Siri AI could provide additional support for shares.
The firm also believes Wall Street earnings estimates for the next twelve months leave room for further upside.
Apple is scheduled to report earnings on July 30, with options markets implying a potential 3.5% move in the stock following the results.
Beyond earnings, investors are closely watching Apple's upcoming hardware refresh.
The company is preparing to introduce its next-generation M6 processor across its Mac lineup beginning this fall and extending into next year.
The refresh is expected to include updated 14-inch MacBook Pro models and new iMac computers, marking the first refresh for the desktop line in two years.
Apple is also preparing to launch Apple Upgrade, a new device leasing program backed by Klarna. The service is scheduled to become available in the United States on July 28.
Separately, Evercore ISI reiterated its Outperform rating and maintained a $365 price target following news of the Apple Upgrade program.
The investment firm also maintained its bullish stance after reports that Apple is engaged in settlement discussions with the US Department of Justice over an antitrust lawsuit filed in March 2024.
Apple is also expanding its presence in the automotive software market.
The company announced that Ford will become the first automaker to adopt its new MapKit for Automotive software development kit.
The technology will be integrated into dashboards across Ford's forthcoming electric vehicle platform and will also provide road data for the automaker's BlueCruise hands-free driving system.
The announcement marks a deeper expansion into vehicle software following Apple's decision two years ago to end its own electric vehicle project.
Unlike CarPlay, which primarily provides infotainment services, the new automotive software integrates Apple's mapping technology more directly into vehicle systems.
With earnings approaching, new hardware launches on the horizon and continued expansion into automotive software, investors will be closely watching whether Apple can sustain its recent outperformance amid broader volatility across the technology sector.
Apple před výsledky za 3. čtvrtletí, které oznámí 30. července, drží silný růstový trend a obchoduje se 17,1 % nad 200denním klouzavým průměrem. Analytici čekají EPS 1,89 USD a tržby 108,86 mld. USD.
Apple stock is trading near recent highs. Where are AAPL shares going? Earnings Preview & HistoryApple is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings on July 30. Analysts estimate EPS of $1.89 along with revenue of $108.86 billion. For the prior quarter, Apple reported EPS of $2.01, beating the consensus estimate of $1.94. The company also posted revenue of $111.18 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $109.68 billion.
Apple has beaten EPS estimates in eight consecutive quarters. Over the last four quarters, the company has averaged an EPS surprise of 0.07% and a revenue surprise of 0.03%.
What To WatchInvestors will be watching iPhone revenue and pricing trends closely, particularly whether Apple is leaning into a higher-end mix ahead of a potential foldable launch, since traders want to see pricing power holding up rather than being propped up by promotions. Services revenue growth and gross margin direction are also key to track, as a premium valuation typically requires Services to keep cushioning any hardware volatility.
Commentary on Greater China and broader international demand should draw attention too, since regional softness can quickly overshadow an otherwise solid quarter at this valuation.
Apple Trades 17% Above Its 200-Day AverageApple is still in a clear longer-term uptrend, with the stock trading 3.6% above its 20-day SMA ($311.49) and 17.1% above its 200-day SMA ($275.60), which typically signals buyers remain in control on pullbacks. The 20-day SMA is also above the 50-day SMA, and the 50-day SMA remains above the 200-day SMA—keeping the trend structure bullish.
Momentum is best read through MACD right now: MACD is above its signal line and the histogram is positive, which points to improving upside momentum versus the prior downswing. In plain terms, when MACD is above its signal line, it suggests selling pressure is fading and the trend is trying to re-assert higher.
From a levels perspective, the stock is hovering below the 52-week high at $334.99, so that zone is the next obvious area where sellers may show up if the rally continues. On the downside, traders will likely focus on whether pullbacks stay orderly above the late-spring/early-summer pivot area.
Key Support: $287.50 — a nearby level where buyers previously stepped in, sitting close to the stock’s intermediate trend zone between the 100-day and 200-day averages. Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions The stock carries a Buy rating with an average price forecast of $325.36. Recent analyst moves include:
Morgan Stanley: Overweight (Raises Target to $364.00) (July 23) HSBC: Upgraded to Buy (Raises Target to $366.00) (July 17) Keybanc: Downgraded to Underweight (Target $250.00) (July 14) Benzinga Edge RankingsBelow is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Apple, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:
The Verdict: Apple’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a momentum-and-quality-driven setup, where trend followers tend to stay involved as long as the stock holds key moving averages. The trade-off is valuation: with a weak Value score, the stock can be less forgiving around earnings if results or guidance don’t clearly support the premium multiple.
Apple Shares Edge HigherAAPL Price Action: At the time of publication, Apple shares are trading 0.22% higher at $322.36, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
Image via Shutterstock
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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47 analytiků u společnosti Apple má průměrnou 12měsíční cílovou cenu asi 319 USD, tedy mírně pod aktuální cenou kolem 321,75 USD. Firma oznámí výsledky za fiskální třetí čtvrtletí 30. července.
Something odd has happened to Apple (AAPL -1.27%) on Wall Street. The 47 analysts covering the stock still rate it a buy, on average. But their average 12-month price target is now about $319 -- slightly below the roughly $320 the stock trades for as of this writing. In other words, the analysts who recommend buying Apple are, collectively, forecasting that it goes nowhere for a year.
That's an unusual setup for one of the world's most valuable tech companies, and the timing sharpens it. Apple reports fiscal third-quarter results on July 30, one week from today.
So is Wall Street quietly saying the stock is fully valued? Or have the targets simply not caught up with a stock that has moved faster than the models tracking it? A little of both, I'd argue.
Image source: Apple.
What a below-price average actually says The average hides a wide spread. Price targets on Apple run from a low of $215 to a high of $400, and the median target of about $329 sits modestly above the current share price.
The ratings lean the same direction as the average rating suggests. Of the 47 analysts, 29 rate the stock a buy or better, 14 call it a hold, and only four recommend selling.
That combination of bullish ratings and flat targets usually shows up after a stock has made a big move in a short time. Apple qualifies. Shares trade about 59% above their 52-week low of $201.50, and they set a record high of $334.99 within the past week.
Price targets tend to trail a run like that, getting revised upward in steps as analysts refresh their models. Indeed, the revisions are still coming. Morgan Stanley just lifted its target to $364.
But it would be too easy to dismiss the flat average as pure lag. The targets also reflect a valuation that has expanded dramatically. Apple trades at about 40 times earnings, a big premium to where it sat for most of the past few years.
The business is backing it up for now. Revenue rose 17% year over year in the fiscal second quarter, and earnings per share climbed 22%. But a year ago, investors could buy the same company for a much smaller premium. The below-price average is Wall Street's way of saying most of that improvement is now in the price.
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The setup into July 30 That leaves next week's report carrying more weight than usual. Apple has scheduled its fiscal third-quarter results for Thursday, July 30. A 40-times-earnings multiple on a company sitting 4% from its record high leaves little cushion if growth cools.
There are reasons to expect the growth to hold. The company's recent momentum has been broad. iPhone revenue hit $57 billion in the March quarter, a record for the period and up 22% year over year, and the high-margin services business set an all-time revenue record of its own.
And Apple keeps adding potential catalysts. A reported device-leasing program with Klarna is reportedly set to launch on July 28 -- a move that could nudge iPhone revenue toward steadier, subscription-like behavior.
With that said, investors shouldn't count on the report to deliver another leg higher. When the average analyst target sits below the price, good news mostly confirms what's already priced in, while any wobble invites the stock to close the gap with the models. Apple doesn't need to disappoint for the stock to stall. It just needs to be ordinary for a quarter.
As for what I'd do, I wouldn't treat a below-price average target as a sell signal. Analyst targets chase the stock in both directions, and Apple remains one of the highest-quality businesses in the world, with staying power that's difficult to find anywhere else. It's a stock I'd continue holding for the long haul, and I'd still call it a top stock to buy and hold -- in moderation -- even at today's premium.
But the flat consensus is useful as a temperature check. It says the easy stretch of this run is probably over, and that returns from here likely have to be earned by the business quarter after quarter, because the valuation multiple has already done its expanding. Going into July 30, that's worth keeping in mind before expecting fireworks.
Apple (AAPL - Free Report) closed at $321.66 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.3% move from the prior day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.21%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 0.97%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 2.15%.
Shares of the maker of iPhones, iPads and other products witnessed a gain of 11.19% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Computer and Technology sector with its loss of 4.58%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.42%.
Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Apple in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on July 30, 2026. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $1.88, reflecting a 19.75% increase from the same quarter last year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $108.79 billion, reflecting a 15.69% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $8.76 per share and a revenue of $479.05 billion, indicating changes of +17.43% and +15.11%, respectively, from the former year.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Apple. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.09% higher. Apple presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Digging into valuation, Apple currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 37.2. This represents a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 23.5.
We can also see that AAPL currently has a PEG ratio of 2.81. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Computer - Micro Computers industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 2.81 as of yesterday's close.
The Computer - Micro Computers industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 19, finds itself in the top 8% echelons of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow AAPL in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
Apple po 15 letech mění CEO: Tim Cook 1. září předá vedení hardwarovému šéfovi Johnu Ternusovi a zůstane výkonným předsedou představenstva. Investoři čekají hlavně na to, zda Ternus zlepší AI a udrží zpětné odkupy i dividendu.
After 15 years running Apple (AAPL -1.55%), Tim Cook will hand the CEO role to hardware chief John Ternus on Sept. 1, with Cook staying on as executive chairman. Ternus is a 25-year Apple veteran who helped launch the iPad and AirPods, so this is a carefully planned insider handoff, not a shake-up.
Here are three things Apple investors can reasonably expect from the leadership change.
Image source: Getty Images.
1. Continuity, not a revolution Apple did not hire an outsider with a mandate to tear things up. Ternus has spent his entire career inside Apple, and Cook will remain as executive chairman to smooth the transition. Expect the strategy, the disciplined supply chain, and the capital-return program to carry on largely unchanged in the near term.
Cook is an operations master; Ternus is an engineer who ran hardware for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Watch. That suggests a CEO with a sharper instinct for the products themselves, which could mean more aggressive bets on new hardware like foldable devices, smart glasses, and AI-infused gadgets.
2. Pressure to fix Apple's AI story This is the big one. Apple has been widely seen as lagging in artificial intelligence (AI), with Siri and Apple Intelligence both underwhelming users and investors. Ternus inherits the job of making Apple a credible AI player, likely by leaning on its strength in on-device AI and custom silicon. How he handles this will define his tenure.
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3. Steady shareholder returns Don't expect the cash machine to slow down. Apple's massive buybacks and growing dividend should continue, and the real profit engine, its high-margin services business, keeps expanding. In the near term, watch iPhone gross margins, which some view as a key signal of financial health.
Ternus takes over with the stock near all-time highs, but that cuts both ways. Expectations are elevated, so every early decision and product launch will face intense scrutiny, and the share price could be volatile as investors judge whether he can innovate or merely maintain. New CEOs are rarely given much patience.
The takeaway for investors The handoff from Cook to Ternus looks about as smooth as a leadership change at a multitrillion-dollar company can be, which should reassure long-term shareholders. The real questions are about the future, not the transition: Can Ternus close Apple's AI gap and reignite hardware innovation, while protecting the margins and cash returns that investors prize?
I would treat September as the start of a show-me period rather than a reason to buy or sell, and judge the new CEO by his products, not his first press release.
Apple má podle odhadů za čtvrtletí vykázat EPS 1,88 USD a tržby 108,79 miliardy USD, což by znamenalo meziroční růst. Analytici navíc čekají, že výsledky překonají konsensus.
Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Apple (AAPL - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis maker of iPhones, iPads and other products is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.88 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +19.8%.
Revenues are expected to be $108.79 billion, up 15.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.49% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Apple?For Apple, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +2.46%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Apple will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Apple would post earnings of $1.92 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.01, delivering a surprise of +4.69%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Apple appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Apple v roce 2026 vzrostl o 22 % a obchoduje se na maximech, ale jeho P/E 39,5 je blízko 18letého maxima. Tržby ve 2Q 2026 stouply meziročně o 16,6 % a zředěný EPS o 21,8 %.
Apple's (AAPL -1.55%) measured approach to artificial intelligence (AI), avoiding spending massive amounts of capital in this area like its big tech peers, appears to be a winning strategy from the market's point of view. Shares have climbed 22% in 2026 (as of July 20). They trade in record territory.
Should investors buy this "Magnificent Seven" stock right now?
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Investors might want to think twice about purchasing this business. That's because Apple shares aren't cheap.
The current price-to-earnings ratio of 39.5, which is near an 18-year high, indicates heightened investor enthusiasm. This adds greater downside risk should the business report financial results that disappoint investors.
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The market clearly has a favorable view of this company, though. Apple's financial performance has been superb. It reported 16.6% year-over-year revenue growth in Q2 2026 (ended March 28), with diluted earnings per share rising 21.8%. Demand for the latest iPhone 17 family has been off the charts, supporting the powerful ecosystem that drives customer stickiness.
Perhaps most importantly, Apple has stayed away from the unprecedented capital expenditure (capex) cycle that's defining the AI boom. Its capex totaled just $4.3 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2026.
Consequently, free cash flow remains robust. This gives the leadership team the ability to continue returning incredible amounts of capital to shareholders, primarily through stock buybacks.
Investors should keep Apple on their watch list, but wait for a better valuation.
Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Apple chystá zásadní obměnu celé řady Maců, včetně přepracovaného MacBooku Pro s čipem M6, aby uspokojila poptávku po AI počítačích. První modely mají přijít letos na podzim a až do roku 2027.
Apple reportedly wants to overhaul its Mac line as consumers seek artificial intelligence (AI)-powered computers.
The company plans to introduce new versions of every Mac product it sells, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday (July 22), citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter.
This will include long-awaited updates to the company’s desktops, several laptops and a revamped version of the MacBook Pro, all scheduled to roll out this fall and into 2027, the sources said.
The launches will begin with an updated low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro that will be among the first Macs to include a new M6 chip and the first new iMacs in two years, the sources added.
PYMNTS has contacted Apple for comment but has not yet received a reply.
Bloomberg noted that the Mac has seen a resurgence of late, with sales forecast to increase for the third straight year. These devices have become popular with people who run computing-intensive AI agents. At the same time, a dearth of memory chips strained manufacturing, causing Apple to increase prices, the report added.
Supply issues are such that new orders on some Mac mini and Mac Studio models won’t ship for at least three months, the report said, challenging Apple to introduce new models with its usual level of inventory, the report said.
Apple CEO Tim Cook had said in April that he thinks it could take “several months” for those machines to achieve supply demand balance, Bloomberg added. Apple raised prices on several products—though not its iPhone—in June.
A report earlier this month by Kiplinger said those price increases could lead to a years-long era of costlier electronics. Cook has blamed the price hikes on soaring memory chip costs, saying he’s never experienced anything like it in 40 years.
“We’re doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable,” Cook told the Wall Street Journal last month.
Bloomberg had reported Tuesday (July 21) that the company was readying a leasing program known as Apple Upgrade. Set to launch next week, this service will reportedly support most iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch models and work like a subscription.
“Users can pay off devices early in their term, upgrade earlier to newer models, or keep the original device until the leasing period ends,” PYMNTS wrote in a report on the program. “As with a car lease, the device could be returned when the term is up.”
For all PYMNTS AI and digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily AI and Digital Transformation Newsletters.
Cvfg LLC lifted its stake in shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL – Free Report) by 154.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 81,665 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock after purchasing an additional 49,606 shares during the quarter. Apple comprises 2.6% of Cvfg LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Cvfg LLC’s holdings in Apple were worth $20,726,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. bought a new position in shares of Apple in the 4th quarter worth $41,000. ROSS JOHNSON & Associates LLC lifted its stake in shares of Apple by 1,800.0% in the first quarter. ROSS JOHNSON & Associates LLC now owns 190 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. Timmons Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Apple during the fourth quarter valued at about $69,000. LSV Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Apple during the fourth quarter valued at about $65,000. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC bought a new stake in shares of Apple during the fourth quarter worth about $76,000. 67.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Insider Activity In related news, insider Ben Borders sold 1,274 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.00, for a total transaction of $369,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 38,713 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,226,770. This represents a 3.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Kevan Parekh sold 1,534 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.00, for a total transaction of $421,850.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 13,366 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,675,650. This trade represents a 10.30% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 2,924 shares of company stock valued at $825,546. 0.06% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Apple Price Performance Apple stock opened at $327.74 on Wednesday. Apple Inc. has a 52 week low of $201.50 and a 52 week high of $334.99. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $304.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $277.89. The stock has a market cap of $4.81 trillion, a P/E ratio of 39.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The iPhone maker reported $2.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.95 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $111.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.46 billion. Apple had a return on equity of 146.69% and a net margin of 27.15%.Apple’s quarterly revenue was up 16.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.65 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Apple Inc. will post 8.76 earnings per share for the current year.
Apple Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 14th. Investors of record on Monday, May 11th were issued a $0.27 dividend. This is an increase from Apple’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 11th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. Apple’s payout ratio is presently 13.06%.
Trending Headlines about Apple Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:
Positive Sentiment: Apple is reportedly launching a new device leasing program with Klarna, a major change to how it sells hardware that could support upgrade demand and recurring device sales. Reuters: Apple to launch ‘Upgrade’ device leasing program to spur sales, Bloomberg News reports Positive Sentiment: HSBC upgraded Apple, saying it is entering a powerful new upgrade cycle supported by AI and a strong hardware roadmap. Barchart: HSBC Says Apple Is Entering a Powerful New Upgrade Cycle Positive Sentiment: Several commentators highlighted Apple’s pricing power, strong installed base, and relative insulation from the AI capex arms race as reasons investors are favoring AAPL over some other mega-cap tech names. MarketBeat: Apple Stock Sends Major Warning Signal as Momentum Hits Peak Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird set a $310.00 target price on shares of Apple in a report on Friday, May 1st. HSBC raised Apple from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $260.00 to $366.00 in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Raymond James Financial set a $380.00 target price on Apple in a report on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $365.00 target price on Apple in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Apple in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $325.71.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on AAPL
About Apple (Free Report)
Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) is a multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. The company designs, develops and sells consumer electronics, software and services. Over its history Apple has evolved from personal computers to a broad portfolio that spans mobile devices, wearables, home entertainment and digital services.
Apple’s principal hardware products include the iPhone smartphone, iPad tablet, Mac personal computers, Apple Watch wearable devices and a range of accessories such as AirPods and HomePod.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Apple Confidence Is Back, But Earnings Show the Consumer Is Being Picky AeroVironment’s Stock Is Down, But Drone Demand Is Taking Off 3M’s Redemption Arc: Can Q2 Earnings Change the Narrative? 3 Photonics Companies Making Quantum Tech Possible Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AAPL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL – Free Report).
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Apple zvyšuje ceny Apple Music a některých tarifů Apple One kvůli rostoucím licenčním nákladům. Individuální Apple Music zdraží na 11,99 USD měsíčně, studentský tarif na 6,99 USD a rodinný tarif na 19,99 USD. Rodinný tarif Apple One zdraží na 27,95 USD měsíčně, Premier na 39,95 USD, zatímco individuální Apple One zůstává na 19,95 USD.
Apple is raising prices on Apple Music subscriptions as well as certain Apple One plans as the company faces higher licensing costs.
The tech giant last week hiked prices for Apple Music plans across subscription tiers. Individual plans will rise by $1 a month to $11.99, while student plans will increase by the same amount to $6.99 a month.
Prices for the Apple Music family plan are also rising by $3 per month to a new monthly rate of $19.99.
The company also hiked prices for some tiers of Apple One – the company's bundle that allows consumers to subscribe simultaneously to Apple TV, Music, iCloud+, Arcade, Fitness+ and News+ or the first four services.
APPLE RAISES IPAD AND MACBOOK PRICES AS MEMORY CHIP COSTS SURGE
Apple raised prices on Apple Music plans as well as some Apple One packages. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Prices for the Apple One family tier are set to rise by $2 to a new total of $27.95 per month. Family plans may be shared with up to five people and have up to 200 gigabytes of iCloud storage, though they don't include News+ or Fitness+ in the package.
The individual Apple One subscription, which includes the same four services but with 50 gigabytes of iCloud storage, is unchanged at $19.95 a month.
Apple One's Premier package, which includes all six of the company's subscription services with up to 2 terabytes of storage and may be shared among five people, will rise in price by $2 to $39.95 per month.
APPLE BRIEFLY OVERTAKES NVIDIA AS WORLD'S MOST VALUABLE COMPANY AMID AI INVESTMENT DOUBTS
Ticker Security Last Change Change % AAPL APPLE INC. 327.74 +1.15 +0.35% The price increases apply to consumers in the U.S. as well as other countries around the world.
The moves weren't announced by Apple, which adjusted the prices for the various subscriptions and tiers on its website on Friday. Apple told 9to5Mac, "As a result of rising licensing costs, Apple Music is increasing its subscription price beginning today."
FOX Business reached out to Apple for comment.
APPLE HIT WITH LAWSUIT CLAIMING ICLOUD+ PRIVACY TOOL COULD EXPOSE USERS' REAL EMAILS TO WEBSITES
In late June, Apple announced price hikes for its iPad tablets and MacBook laptops amid rising memory chip costs.
The company raised the price of the MacBook Air by $200 to a new total of $1,299, while the budget Neo laptop price rose from $599 to $699. The price of a MacBook Pro with 1 terabyte of storage rose $300 to $1,999, while the iPad Air with 128 gigabytes of storage rose from $599 to $749.
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Apple said at the time that it has "never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly," adding that it had "shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products."
Apple is launching a device leasing program called ‘Apple Upgrade’ on July 28 in the US to boost sales, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
The new service arrives as Apple has raised prices on its iPads, MacBooks and other devices except the iPhone, no longer able to shield customers from surging memory and storage chip costs driven by the AI industry’s data-center buildout.
Apple Upgrade will support most iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch models and the company is partnering with Klarna Group as the financial backer for the program, the report said.
Apple Upgrade will support most iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch models, according to Bloomberg. Getty Images It will function as a subscription, allowing users to pay off their device early, switch to a new model before their term ends, or retain the device after the leasing period concludes, Bloomberg reported.
The service will be available in both Apple’s physical retail stores and online.
Apple intends to market the program as offering lower payments than its existing financing options, the report said.
The company plans to end new enrollments in its current iPhone payment plans — the iPhone Upgrade Program and standard financing — to clear the way for the new Apple Upgrade initiative.
Unlike the current iPhone Upgrade Program, Apple Upgrade will not include AppleCare.
Some devices, including the Apple Watch SE, the entry-level iPad, the iPhone 16 and the MacBook Neo, will not be eligible for the program, the report said.
Apple Upgrade will be available in the tech giant’s physical retail stores and online. Business and education purchases will also be excluded, according to Bloomberg.
Both Apple and Klarna did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Apple podala federální žalobu na OpenAI kvůli údajnému krádeži obchodního tajemství a citlivých souborů. Spor může naznačovat snahu Apple bránit svůj hardwarový byznys před vstupem OpenAI do spotřebitelských zařízení.
Apple’s federal trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI centers on allegations that the AI company stole confidential files. But on an episode of Earn Your Leisure, co-host Rashaad Bilal argued the lawsuit could reveal something bigger about Apple’s competitive strategy.
Bilal’s take was that: “Apple suing them about trade secrets tells me a few things. It tells me they know something or they’ve seen something that they want to get ahead of.“ His framing suggests Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction) could be looking to defend its consumer hardware business as OpenAI develops its own consumer devices.
Apple Accuses OpenAI of a “Pattern of Theft” Apple filed suit in federal court in Northern California on July 10, 2026, naming OpenAI, its hardware chief Tang Tan, and former Apple engineer Chang Liu. Apple accuses them of a “pattern of theft” of confidential product development information, alleging OpenAI recruiters encouraged prospective hires to bring “actual parts” from Apple for “show and tell.”
Bilal zeroed in on a specific defendant, former employee Cheng Lu, who allegedly used an authentication bug on an unreturned Apple laptop to download “dozens of highly confidential hardware files including technical specifications for unreleased products,” and left mocking messages for Apple. OpenAI is publicly maintaining its device timeline, telling reporters it plans to announce its first consumer device by the end of 2026 and ship it in 2027.
Is OpenAI’s First Consumer Device Just 3 Months Away? The Earn Your Leisure segment ties the suit to OpenAI’s delayed IPO and a hardware effort Bilal referred to on air as “Project Sweet Pea,” which he urged listeners to look up. Per the panel, OpenAI is expected to release a smart glass, a digital voice recorder, and a wearable pin in the second half of 2026, with Bilal predicting a hardware product from OpenAI within 3 months. Those claims are speculation, but they align with reporting that Apple’s suit targets OpenAI’s device push.
Jony Ive’s Exit Was a “Declaration of War” It was discussed that OpenAI may have poached roughly 550 Apple employees, more than the reported 400, citing a contact inside Apple. Bilal flagged Jony Ive’s move from Apple to OpenAI as the signal that matters: “the fact that Jony Ive left tells you that… Apple from an innovation standpoint may be lacking, but OpenAI may be where the future is.”
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The discussion then turned to Ive’s exit, which was described as a “declaration of war.” The speakers also suggested Elon Musk repositioned SpaceX as an AI company to attack Sam Altman’s market share, teeing up a possible Apple-SpaceX counter-alliance. Bilal argued SpaceX could position itself as a compute monopoly every major player must route through.
Apple Has 2.5 Billion Devices and $100 Billion to Fight Back Apple can afford to litigate and build. In its Q2 FY2026 report filed April 30, 2026, Apple posted revenue of $111.184 billion, up 16.6% year over year, with diluted EPS of $2.01, its 8th consecutive quarter beating consensus. Services revenue set an all-time record at $30.976 billion, and the board authorized a $100 billion buyback and a 4% dividend increase.
The distribution advantage is where Apple’s AI story gets interesting. The installed base surpassed 2.5 billion active devices in Q1 FY26, giving Apple Intelligence a delivery channel no rival can replicate overnight. The company’s market cap sits near $4.9 trillion, and the stock is up 22.99% year to date, with Apple briefly overtaking NVIDIA as the world’s most valuable company last week.
What to Watch Next There are three upcoming events to watch. First, whether OpenAI holds its end-of-2026 device announcement or slips the timeline under legal pressure. Second, whether Apple pairs the lawsuit with a splashy AI acquisition, since Morgan Stanley reiterated its Overweight rating with a $360 price target while flagging that Apple is reportedly hunting chip deals. Third, whether the Apple-SpaceX alignment the panel described shows up in a real commercial announcement. If an alignment materializes, the lawsuit could end up looking more like the opening move as Bilal already thinks it is.
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Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL, XETRA:APC) is expected to beat consensus estimates for its fiscal third quarter, according to Bank of America, even as the bank takes a more conservative view of iPhone seasonality tied to a staggered launch schedule.
BofA said investor focus will center on component cost inflation, the durability of gross margins, and the transition following the end of Tim Cook's tenure as CEO.
The bank forecasts fiscal third-quarter revenue of $109 billion and earnings per share of $1.89, above Street estimates of $108 billion and $1.87, implying revenue growth of 16% year over year, compared with Apple's guidance range of 14% to 17%.
BofA said iPhone build plans, including for Pro models, remain robust. However, the analysts have factored in a more conservative outlook given the staggered rollout this cycle: Pro, Pro Max and a foldable model launching in September, with the base model and Air arriving in March.
Higher prices are also part of that calculus. The bank noted the Street may not be fully reflecting this launch timing in its estimates.
On margins, BofA models product gross margin declining 190 basis points sequentially in the June quarter to 36.8%, with a further 280-basis-point drop in the September quarter to 34.1%. The bank views this as transitory, projecting a recovery to 38.5% in the December quarter as new iPhones, including the foldable, launch at higher prices, with a potential added boost from roughly $3 billion in tariff recovery.
Overall company gross margin is modeled at 48.2% for the June quarter, within Apple's guided range of 47.5% to 48.5%.
For fiscal fourth quarter, BofA is well below Street on revenue and earnings, forecasting $106 billion and $1.88 per share against consensus of $114 billion and $2.01, a gap the bank attributes largely to more conservative iPhone unit assumptions tied to the staggered launch.
On services, BofA expects fiscal third-quarter revenue growth of 14% year over year, in line with guidance. App Store growth has slowed, with SensorTower data cited showing 3.2% year-over-year growth in the quarter, down sharply from 9.8% in the prior quarter. BofA expects that softness to be offset by strength in iCloud and licensing.
BofA reiterated its Buy rating on Apple with a price objective of $380, based on 37 times its calendar 2027 estimated EPS of $10.29. The bank also nudged up its fiscal 2027 and 2028 EPS estimates to $9.91 and $10.89, respectively.
Apple reports fiscal third-quarter results after market close on July 30.
Apple má podle BofA před červnovými hospodářskými výsledky silný kvartál; investoři se zaměří na hrubou marži, náklady a odchod Tima Cooka z funkce CEO.
BofA Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan reiterated a Buy rating on Apple stock with a price target of $380.
The Analyst TakeawaysApple should report a strong June quarter, Mohan writes in a new investor note.
"Overall builds are likely strong, but we are taking a conservative approach; iPhone launch cadence can change some seasonality, which we are reflecting," Mohan said.
The analyst said investor focus for the quarterly results will be on gross margins, cost inflation and the end of Cook’s run as CEO for Apple.
Mohan sees Services strength offsetting App Store weakness for the quarter.
"We model Services gross margins at 76.5% for the June quarter and then holding steady at 76% for the September and December quarters. Over time, we see the potential for Services gross margins to grow to 80% and overall company gross margins to grow to 50%."
For Apple’s iPhone segment, Mohan is conservative on future quarters and could see revenue growth declining "given the cadence of iPhone launches this year."
"Investor questions focus on sustainability on strong iPhone demand and whether the ‘supercycle’ thesis can really play out."
Mohan says AI features and an aging installed base are expected to drive iPhone demand, but investors worry about whether demand has already peaked.
Apple Stock Price ActionApple stock is down 2.5% to $325.54 on Monday versus a 52-week trading range of $201.50 to $334.98. Shares hit all-time highs last week and are up over 50% in the past 52 weeks.
Photo: Tim Cook, Shutterstock; Apple iPhone 16e, courtesy Apple
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Apple dál těží z AI bez masivních investic do datacenter a opírá se o více než 2,5 miliardy aktivních zařízení. Ve 2. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 výnosy vzrostly na 111,18 miliardy USD a EPS 2,01 USD překonal odhady.
I keep buying Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction), and the more I read about what its Magnificent Seven peers are spending on AI, the harder my conviction gets. Every quarter I look at what this company actually does with the cash a phone business throws off, and I add to the position again.
Here is what pulls me back to the buy button. Apple sells hardware and software that hundreds of millions of people already use every day, and it turns that installed base into recurring cash. 2.5B+ active devices is the moat. Apple monetizes intelligence through the phones and Macs already sitting on desks, so it does not need to build a data center empire to justify an AI story.
The Receipts Three data points anchor the position. First, cash generation. Full fiscal 2025 revenue was $416.16B, net income was $112.01B, and operating cash flow reached $111.48B. Buybacks alone consumed $90.71B of that. Q2 FY26 layered on $111.18B in revenue (up 16.6% YoY), EPS of $2.01 beating by 3.59% (the 8th consecutive quarter of beating expectations), a fresh $100B buyback authorization, and a 4% dividend raise to $0.27 per quarter.
Second, the balance sheet. Return on equity of 171.42%, return on invested capital of 53.35%, operating margin of 31.97%, and $147 billion in cash and marketable securities against $85 billion in debt. Third, capex discipline. Apple’s full FY25 capex was $12.7B, and Q1 FY26 capex ran $2.37B, down 19.29% YoY.
Why Not Microsoft or Alphabet Those are the two names a reader reaches for first when they think “AI winner.” Both sit inside the hyperscaler capex curve I want to avoid. Vanguard’s 2026 outlook projects AI scalers will spend roughly $2.1 trillion on capital investment from Q1 2025 through Q4 2027. Goldman Sachs’ 2026 outlook flags that hyperscaler capex plus buybacks and dividends have consumed ~95% of operating cash flows over the last 12 months vs ~80% in 2019, forcing some of them into credit markets to keep the machine running. That is the trap I do not want retirement money exposed to.
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CFO Kevan Parekh drew the line on the Q2 call: “From the start we have believed AI is a really important investment area for Apple Inc., and we are going to be doing that incrementally on top of what we normally invest in our product roadmap.” Incremental. Inside an existing product framework. Tim Cook backs the product side: “Apple Intelligence is woven into the core of our platforms, powered by Apple silicon and designed from the ground up to deliver intelligence that is fast, personal, and private.”
The Real Risk Valuation. Trailing P/E of 41 and forward P/E of 33 leave little margin for error. If iPhone growth stalls, or if Greater China ($20.497 billion in Q2 FY26) turns on tariff or regulatory pressure, this multiple compresses. I hold that risk clearly. What keeps the thesis intact: Services set an all-time record at $30.98B, Greater China grew 28% in the March quarter, and management guided June quarter revenue growth of 14% to 17%. Growth is still on the right side of that multiple.
The buy button stays active because Apple is turning the AI cycle into cash rather than capex, and every quarter the receipts get thicker.
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Apple se krátce dostal nad Nvidia jako nejhodnotnější firma světa, protože investoři sázejí na jeho schopnost prodávat AI spotřebitelům. Akcie letos přidaly 23 %.
Apple stock NASDAQ:AAPL has become Wall Street’s latest test of whether the artificial intelligence trade is moving beyond data-centre builders and towards businesses capable of selling AI to consumers.
The iPhone maker briefly overtook Nvidia as the world’s most valuable company, reaching about $4.88 trillion as Nvidia fell 3.5%.
The switch may prove temporary, but it captured a change in investor thinking.
Apple stock has gained 23% this year as confidence grows that it can distribute AI without matching hyperscalers’ spending.
For much of the generative AI boom, Apple was criticized for moving slowly.
Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta committed heavily to models, chips and data centres, while Nvidia became the clearest winner from the infrastructure buildout.
That contrast once made Apple look behind the curve. It now appears attractive as investors question how quickly huge AI budgets will generate returns.
Apple can adopt proven models, integrate them into devices and retain control of the customer relationship, with less pressure to justify infrastructure investment.
“Apple was seen as a laggard in the AI race because it wasn’t spending to develop models, but now sentiment has changed,” Toni Meadows, head of investment at BRI Wealth Management, told Reuters.
Meadows said Apple was less exposed to capital-intensive development and better positioned to monetize AI through services, hardware upgrades and its ecosystem.
The company waited for the technology to mature before pushing it through familiar products.
Apple’s advantage is distribution. The company said in January that its installed base had surpassed 2.5 billion active devices, providing a consumer network few technology businesses can match.
HSBC analyst Nicolas Cote-Colisson upgraded Apple to Buy from Hold and lifted his price target to $366 from $260.
He described the company as being at an “operational turning point,” arguing that restrained spending and its product pipeline could support the AI cycle.
The opportunity differs from Nvidia’s.
Nvidia earns when companies add computing capacity, but Apple could benefit downstream by persuading customers to replace devices, use more paid services and remain within its ecosystem.
A more capable Siri is central to that thesis because it could place generative AI before mainstream users without requiring a separate chatbot.
Citi analyst Asiya Merchant raised her target to $365 from $315 and retained a Buy rating, citing opportunities from Apple Intelligence, premium devices and market-share growth.
The initial payoff may come through engagement and services revenue rather than an immediate iPhone supercycle.
Apple must still prove its AI features can change customer behaviour.
Apple’s move above Nvidia is symbolically important, but it does not mark the end of Nvidia’s leadership.
The companies occupy different parts of the same value chain. Nvidia supplies computing power, while Apple offers a route into consumers’ lives.
Nvidia remains essential to AI infrastructure and could reclaim the market-value lead.
Apple also faces tests as its revamped Siri must work reliably, reach key markets and turn distribution into measurable revenue.
A large installed base provides opportunity, not guaranteed monetization.
Valuation is another risk. Apple’s rally has lifted expectations, leaving the shares vulnerable if device demand or services growth disappoints.
Apple dosud šetřil na výdajích do AI, ale jeho čipy M2 Ultra prý nestačí na nejnáročnější úlohy v oblasti AI. Firma proto údajně zvažuje akvizice startupů vyrábějících AI čipy.
The artificial intelligence boom has divided Big Tech into two camps. One group is spending at a pace rarely seen in corporate history, pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into data centers, custom chips, and power infrastructure. The other has largely stayed on the sidelines.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction) has avoided the AI spending arms race by choosing not to build frontier AI models that compete directly with OpenAI, Google, or Anthropic. That decision has protected its balance sheet while rivals load up on debt to fund ever-larger AI ambitions. Yet new reports suggest there is no free lunch in AI, and Apple’s lower-cost strategy may now be running into its own limits.
A Different Kind of AI Bet The AI capex spending spree numbers are stark:
Company Fiscal 2025 CapEx Fiscal 2026 CapEx Est. Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) $131.8 billion $180 billion to $200 billion Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) $91.4 billion $180 billion to $190 billion Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) $72.2 billion $125 billion to $145 billion Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) $64.6 billion $190 billion Apple $12.7 billion $14 billion Amazon, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft collectively spent $360 billion on capital expenditures in 2025, with Wall Street expecting another wave of spending through 2027 as each races to build larger AI infrastructure.
Apple took the opposite approach. Rather than chasing the most powerful foundation models, it focused on integrating AI features into its hardware ecosystem while relying on partners for many cloud-based capabilities. The strategy preserved Apple’s financial flexibility and helped it avoid the debt financing increasingly appearing across Big Tech as AI investments accelerate.
From a shareholder perspective, that restraint has been refreshing. Apple’s balance sheet remains one of the strongest in technology, and it hasn’t needed to match competitors dollar for dollar simply to stay in the AI race.
According to The Information, Apple’s internally developed M2 Ultra chips have fallen short for the most demanding AI workloads. Instead of relying exclusively on its own silicon, the company has reportedly turned to Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) accelerators hosted by Google to run portions of its AI computing needs. Reuters separately reported that Apple is now exploring acquisitions of AI chip startups to strengthen its in-house capabilities.
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So, Apple saved billions by avoiding a data-center construction spree, but if its existing chips cannot efficiently support next-generation AI models, the company still has to spend somewhere. Rather than building thousands of AI servers, it may instead acquire the technology and engineering talent needed to close the performance gap.
Ironically, Apple may simply be replacing capital expenditures with mergers and acquisitions. Yet investors shouldn’t assume Apple’s acquisition strategy will become as expensive as the infrastructure race underway at Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta. Buying specialized semiconductor startups is unlikely to approach the hundreds of billions those companies are investing in AI data centers, networking equipment, and custom silicon.
Still, the reports highlight an important reality: there is no inexpensive shortcut to competing in modern AI.
Key Takeaway In short, Apple’s conservative AI strategy has protected its financial position while competitors are committing to spending hundreds of billions of dollars annually. That discipline deserves credit.
Yet reports that Apple’s M2 Ultra chips have struggled with today’s most advanced AI workloads — and that the company is now pursuing AI chip acquisitions — suggest the cost of remaining competitive may simply shift from capital expenditures to M&A. For long-term investors, that’s still a preferable position to funding an open-ended infrastructure arms race. But it also confirms that even Apple cannot escape the enormous investment required to compete in artificial intelligence.
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Apple a americké ministerstvo spravedlnosti vedou raná jednání o urovnání antimonopolní žaloby z roku 2024. Spor se týká údajných praktik, které měly brzdit konkurenci na trhu se smartphony.
View of an Apple logo at an Apple store in Paris, France, April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesJuly 17 (Reuters) - Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab and the U.S. Department of Justice are in early discussions about settling a 2024 lawsuit that alleges the iPhone maker violated antitrust laws, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Apple and the DOJ did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the report.
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The discussions are active, but there is no guarantee that the two sides will reach an agreement, the report said, adding that the iPhone maker has made multiple offers to the DOJ to bring the case to a close.
The department and 15 states sued Apple in 2024 as the government cracks down on Big Tech, alleging the iPhone maker monopolized the smartphone market, hurt smaller rivals and drove up prices.
In the lawsuit, the U.S. had accused Apple of making it harder for consumers to block competitors and cited five examples where Apple used mechanisms to suppress technologies that would have increased competition among smartphones: so-called super apps, cloud stream game apps, messaging apps, smartwatches and digital wallets.
It could not be learned whether the state attorneys general were engaged in settlement talks, according to the report.
Shares of Apple were down 1.1% in afternoon trading on Friday. They have risen about 23% this year.
The report comes days after Apple sued OpenAI and two former employees, alleging misappropriation of its trade secrets to benefit the ChatGPT-owner's foray into consumer hardware, a dramatic escalation of already simmering tension between the two companies.
Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Apple podal žalobu na OpenAI kvůli obchodnímu tajemství, což může zkomplikovat plány firmy na IPO až později letos. Žaloba tvrdí, že v OpenAI pracuje přes 400 bývalých zaměstnanců Apple.
Apple filed a trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI last Friday, and it’s not messing around. The complaint alleges a pattern of misconduct reaching all the way up to OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and claims more than 400 former Apple employees now work at the company. OpenAI’s response so far has been carefully hedged, and the timing couldn’t be worse with the company reportedly eyeing an IPO as early as later this year.
On this episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane dig into what the lawsuit could mean for OpenAI’s own hardware ambitions and IPO timeline, plus a bigger theme running through the week’s news: how much should anyone trust AI companies with their data?
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Apple znovu získal titul nejhodnotnější veřejně obchodované společnosti na světě, když jeho tržní kapitalizace překonala Nvidia a dosáhla přibližně 4,88 bilionu USD. Akcie Apple vystoupaly na rekordních 334,99 USD. Nvidia se v ranním obchodování propadla o více než 3 %, čímž její tržní kapitalizace klesla na zhruba 4,84 bilionu USD.
Apple AAPL reclaimed its position as the world's most valuable publicly traded company on Friday after its market capitalization surpassed Nvidia's.
Apple shares climbed to an all-time high of $334.99, lifting the company's market value to approximately $4.88 trillion.
Nvidia shares fell more than 3% in early trading, reducing the AI chipmaker's market capitalization to about $4.84 trillion.
Nvidia had held the title of the world's most valuable company since June 2025, when it overtook Microsoft.
The chipmaker also became the first company to reach a $5 trillion market capitalization in October.
The two technology companies have taken different paths this year.
Apple shares have gained 22% in 2026, outperforming the broader market as investors responded positively to the company's artificial intelligence strategy and relatively modest capital spending model.
Nvidia, by comparison, has risen about 7% this year. The company's shares have lagged as investor attention shifted toward memory chips and data center infrastructure, benefiting companies such as Micron Technology and Sandisk.
Apple's return to the top of the market value rankings comes after the company was widely viewed as trailing many of its technology peers in the race to develop advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
The milestone also arrives as Chief Executive Tim Cook prepares to hand leadership of the company to hardware executive John Ternus in September.
Last month, Apple introduced a long-delayed overhaul of Siri, positioning the upgraded digital assistant as a key component of its effort to narrow the gap with larger technology rivals and emerging AI-focused companies.
Some analysts believe Apple's installed base of iPhone users and the personal data stored on those devices could become a significant competitive advantage for its artificial intelligence strategy by enabling Siri to deliver more personalized and capable responses.
However, they also note that much of that data remains protected within Apple's operating systems because of the company's privacy policies, requiring Apple to find ways to leverage the information while maintaining those protections.
HSBC upgraded Apple to Buy from Hold on Friday and raised its price target to $366 from $260, implying approximately 10% upside from Thursday's closing price.
Analyst Nicolas Cote-Colisson said in a note to clients, "We believe that the launch of AI features and a strong product pipeline have the potential to drive a major upgrade cycle."
According to HSBC, Apple can continue benefiting from artificial intelligence through the upcoming expansion of Apple Intelligence, its AI platform for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.
"Apple is now at an operational turning point: not only can the company stay away from the (too) high capex debate (it only invests 2.5% of its [estimated 2026] sales vs 39% for hyperscalers)…it is also well placed to leverage its 2.5 [billion] installed device base with its forthcoming revamped Apple Intelligence," Cote-Colisson wrote.
He added that the new agentic Siri AI is expected to launch later this year and could increase demand for Apple devices.
"This AI boost comes at the right moment, when we think Apple has one of its most innovative product pipelines in place," Cote-Colisson wrote.
The analyst also said Apple is expected to introduce its long-awaited foldable iPhone Ultra, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, later this year, developments that HSBC believes could further support demand for the company's products and its shares.
Apple poslal asi 40 bývalým zaměstnancům, kteří nyní pracují v OpenAI, výzvu, aby uchovali dokumenty a komunikaci v souvislosti se žalobou kvůli údajnému krádeži obchodního tajemství.
Apple sent letters to about 40 former employees who now work at OpenAI, demanding that they preserve documents and communications and meet with Apple lawyers, the Financial Times reported Friday (July 17), citing unnamed sources.
The move is part of Apple’s efforts to secure evidence for the lawsuit it filed last week against OpenAI and two of the artificial intelligence company’s employees, alleging that they stole trade secrets, according to the report.
About 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI, per the report.
Neither Apple nor OpenAI immediately replied to PYMNTS’ request for comment.
Apple filed its lawsuit July 10, alleging that OpenAI, Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan and technical staff member Chang Liu stole trade secrets from Apple to support OpenAI’s development of devices. Tan and Liu are former Apple employees.
Apple said in the lawsuit that it doesn’t know what OpenAI did with the information it alleges was stolen by Tan and Liu but claimed that “at every level, from members of its technical staff to its chief hardware officer, and in coordination with business partners, OpenAI has been stealing Apple’s trade secrets and confidential information.”
With its lawsuit, the company is demanding that OpenAI stop the practices alleged in the suit, destroy any proprietary materials and redesign its upcoming products so that they don’t use any Apple technology.
In a July 10 post on social platform X, OpenAI Director of Strategic Communications Drew Pusateri said: “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”
Our statement in response to this suit: We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere. https://t.co/lIxGW6hyz5
— Drew Pusateri (@drewpusateri) July 10, 2026
It was reported Sunday (July 12) that Apple’s lawsuit came as the tech world scrambles to develop AI-powered devices that go a step beyond the smartphone and that the winner of this race could play the same role Apple now plays in the consumer market.
OpenAI released its first hardware product Wednesday (July 15). The product is a $230 programmable macropad for developers managing AI coding agents.
It was reported Tuesday (July 14) that the company is developing a portable smart speaker that serves as an AI companion. OpenAI aims to reveal the device this year and launch it in 2027.
Warren Buffett zopakoval, že Apple patří mezi jeho nejoblíbenější společnosti, i když se chystá změna na postu CEO. Berkshire v něm drží přes 70 miliard USD a podíl letos neprodala.
Warren Buffett stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB +0.98%)(BRKA +0.73%) at the end of 2025, but he still speaks out on some of the conglomerate's investments. And in a CNBC interview on Wednesday, he made clear that his view of Apple (AAPL +1.72%) hasn't budged. It remains one of his favorite businesses, he said, even with a change at the top just weeks away.
That change is no small thing. Apple announced in April that longtime CEO Tim Cook will become executive chairman on Sept. 1, handing the chief executive job to hardware engineering chief John Ternus. A leadership handoff at one of the world's most valuable companies would normally give investors pause.
Buffett, whose Berkshire owns more than $70 billion in Apple stock, doesn't seem worried.
So does his continued conviction make the stock a buy near its record high? Let's take a look.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
A business Buffett knows well Buffett first bought Apple in 2016, and it has grown into Berkshire's single biggest position. It accounts for about 22% of the conglomerate's roughly $263 billion equity portfolio, according to its most recent quarterly filing, making it Berkshire's largest holding by a wide margin.
More telling still, Berkshire left the stake untouched in the first quarter, its first full period under new CEO Greg Abel. After years of steady trimming, standing pat amounts to a quiet vote of confidence.
Part of Buffett's ease with the succession may be that Apple's staying power doesn't rest on any one executive. Ternus has been at the company since 2001 and has run hardware engineering through the iPhone's most important years.
And the numbers he inherits are strong. In its fiscal second quarter (the period ended March 28, 2026), Apple's revenue rose 17% year over year to $111.2 billion, and earnings per share climbed 22% to $2.01. Both were March-quarter records.
iPhone revenue jumped 22% to a record $57 billion, powered by demand for the iPhone 17 lineup. Services revenue, meanwhile, hit an all-time high of about $31 billion, up roughly 16% year over year.
That services business is the quiet engine here, and it's the piece I'd watch most. It carries a gross margin near 75%, against about 39% for products, so as it outgrows the rest of the company, it steadily lifts Apple's overall profitability.
Zoom out, and the trajectory is the real story. Apple's revenue grew just 6% in fiscal 2025, then accelerated to that 17% pace in the March quarter. Management has guided for 14% to 17% growth again in the current quarter, which Apple will report later this month.
After several sluggish years, in other words, this is a business reaccelerating. That helps explain why Buffett is content to leave it as Berkshire's anchor holding through a CEO change.
Today's Change
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The price of that conviction But is the stock overvalued?
Apple stock climbed about 4% on Wednesday to roughly $328, a fresh record, and it is up more than 55% over the past year, well ahead of the S&P 500. At that price, shares trade at close to 40 times earnings -- a steep premium to the broader market's roughly 25. Even on next year's expected profits, the multiple eases only to the mid-30s.
But I think Apple stock is worth its premium.
Not only is the business accelerating, but it's also built on an enduring, proven brand and a loyal customer base. Then there's the potential for AI to further accelerate both its products and services businesses, as it gives customers reasons to upgrade and potentially opens the door to entirely new product categories.
Additionally, Buffett's conviction is worth taking seriously. Not only is he a renowned investor, but he's putting his money where his mouth is -- and he hasn't sold any Apple shares this year.
So, is Apple a buy up here? I think so.
Sure, there are risks. But I agree with Buffett on this one. Apple is a stock worth owning. With that said, it's worth being clear that Berkshire hasn't been buying Apple stock at this level -- least not that we know of. So it's not fair to say that Buffett thinks Apple stock is a buy. But he certainly likes owning it -- and he likes owning a lot of it. Further, Berkshire's position size is arguably already borderline oversized, so it makes sense he isn't adding.
Apple ve středu vystoupal na rekord po zprávách, že testuje technologii AI pro spouštění modelů přímo na iPhonu. V Číně mu navíc úřady povolily poskytovat služby AI.
Shares of Apple (AAPL +3.95%) jumped to a record high on Wednesday, following some positive developments for the tech titan.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
More AI models could be coming to the iPhone On Tuesday, CNBC reported that Apple was evaluating innovative technology that could shrink large artificial intelligence (AI) models to run directly on an iPhone.
PrismML, a tiny Silicon Valley start-up, licenses the technology from the California Institute of Technology. PrismML CEO Babak Hassibi said Apple is testing the tech's performance on its devices.
If those tests prove successful, Apple could bring the power of advanced AI models to iPhone users. It could also help Apple reduce its cloud computing costs if AI applications can run directly on its devices.
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And on Wednesday, news broke that the Cyberspace Administration of China would allow Apple to provide AI services in the populous country.
Chinese e-commerce and cloud giant Alibaba will integrate its Qwen AI model into Apple Intelligence. Baidu, China's internet search leader, will also work with Apple to develop AI features for its devices.
Apple's AI strategy is emerging Apple has largely stayed out of the AI model race, much to the benefit of its shareholders.
Rather than spending tens and even hundreds of billions of dollars to compete with model makers like OpenAI and Anthropic or hyperscalers like Google and Meta Platforms, Apple has sought to partner with AI leaders to bring their innovations to its users.
It's a smart, cost-effective strategy. And these recent developments are beginning to show that Apple can still benefit from AI without incurring massive costs.
Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, Baidu, and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool recommends Alibaba Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Apple v březnovém čtvrtletí vykázal rekordní tržby z iPhonu ve výši 56,994 miliardy USD a celkové tržby 111,184 miliardy USD, což je meziročně o 16,6 % více. EPS činil 2,01 USD, čímž překonal odhad, a tržby ze Služeb dosáhly 30,976 miliardy USD.
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
I keep clicking buy on Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction), and the hardware bears keep giving me reasons to do it again. Every quarter someone declares the iPhone cycle exhausted. Every quarter Apple hands me another record and I add to the position.
The conviction is simple. Apple sells hardware that a 2.5 billion active device installed base refuses to abandon, then rents that same base a growing bundle of high-margin services. Bears keep pricing this as a maturing phone company. I keep pricing it as a compounding annuity with a chip designer attached.
The Receipts I Keep Coming Back To Start with the hardware. In the March quarter, iPhone revenue hit $56.994 billion, a March record, with Tim Cook citing 22% year over year growth and 99% US customer satisfaction on the iPhone 17 family. Total revenue came in at $111.184 billion, up 16.6% year over year, with double-digit growth in every geographic segment. Demand like that speaks for itself.
Then Services. Revenue reached $30.976 billion at a 76.7% gross margin. That mix keeps expanding, and it keeps decoupling Apple’s earnings from any single phone launch. EPS of $2.01 beat the $1.9404 estimate, making it 8 consecutive quarters of beats.
The third leg is the capital return machine. The board authorized a fresh $100 billion buyback and lifted the dividend 4% to $0.27. Full fiscal year 2025 buybacks totaled $90.71 billion. On that shrinking share count, Apple posts 171.4% return on equity and 53.3% ROIC. Every dollar retained earns a return most companies cannot touch.
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Why Not the Obvious AI Alternative The name a tech-focused reader reaches for first these days is NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA). I own some, and I keep sending fresh cash to Apple anyway. One AI-focused podcast framed the setup plainly: “the market is actually in a way saying we want to pay less for Nvidia than a company like Apple that is very growth constrained” because with Apple “you know what you’re getting.” The hyperscalers are pouring capex into AI infrastructure with uncertain payback windows. Apple is spending on R&D at an accelerating rate, per Cook, while still returning tens of billions to me each quarter. Predictability at this scale is rare, and I will pay for it.
The Risk I Am Not Ignoring Greater China is the concern I sit with. The region softened to $14.49 billion in Q4 FY25 before recovering. The rebound has been fast: 33% growth in the first half of fiscal 2026 and a March record. Memory costs are climbing too, and Cook flagged a larger impact in the June quarter. Margins will feel it. The through-line still holds: an installed base compounding into a Services flywheel, backed by $62 billion in net cash. If you want to see how that Services momentum shows up in the numbers, our team pulled the receipts in 7 Stocks Powering the AI Boom (That Aren’t Chipmakers).
Why the Buy Button Stays Active Shares are up 51.53% over the past year and 1,300.24% over ten years at $314.86. I keep buying because the machine that produced those returns is still running: hardware people upgrade, services people pay for monthly, and a treasury that keeps buying its own stock back. The hardware bears will keep filing their obituaries. I will keep filing my trade tickets.
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Apple čeká před výsledky zkouška, zda AI strategie skutečně podpoří růst tržeb a marží. Skeptici varují, že vysoké ocenění už počítá s příliš velkým AI optimismem.
Apple NASDAQ: AAPL has rallied sharply since late June, keeping the stock near record territory as investors look ahead to the company’s Q3 2026 earnings report, expected on June 30. At first glance, the setup heading into that report appears relatively straightforward.
Apple Today
$327.19 +12.33 (+3.92%)
As of 02:51 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$201.50▼
$328.53Dividend Yield0.33%
P/E Ratio39.59
Price Target$314.26
Analysts have been busy raising price targets, the stock has been hitting highs, and the market appears to be leaning into the thesis that Apple's ecosystem and pricing power will deliver the goods as its AI strategy ramps up.
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However, not everyone is convinced that this bet is safe. A growing number of voices are questioning whether Wall Street has gotten ahead of itself, pricing in an AI-driven future that Apple hasn't demonstrated it can deliver, while ignoring a set of very real, near-term cost pressures.
That gap between the optimism priced into the stock and the caution running through some of the underlying analysis is becoming harder to ignore, and this month's earnings report threatens to widen it further.
The "Toll Booth" Thesis Has a Hole in ItMuch of the bull case for Apple's AI positioning rests on what's often called the "toll booth" thesis: the idea that Apple doesn't need to build the best AI model because it owns the device and platform through which people will access AI, and can therefore extract value regardless of which model wins. It is a compelling argument, and one we have recently covered through the lens of Apple’s agentic AI opportunity.
The trouble is that the evidence for it actually working in practice is thin. Rather than monetizing AI usage directly, Apple is currently paying other companies for the AI models running inside its own ecosystem. That sounds more like a cost center than a toll booth.
Until that dynamic flips, and until Apple demonstrates it can turn its AI features into meaningful revenue, the thesis remains more theoretical than proven. Investors betting on it are, for now, betting on potential rather than results.
The Cost Pressures Are Not TheoreticalWhile the AI upside remains speculative, the cost side of Apple's story is anything but. Surging NAND and DRAM prices have already forced the company to raise prices across its Mac and iPad lineups, and speculation continues to build that iPhone pricing will follow suit later this year.
The KeyBanc team made this exact point earlier this week, as they downgraded Apple to Underweight—a rare, but worrying, outright bearish stance. The firm's analysts pointed to iPad price increases of $100 to $200 and MacBook increases of up to $300, arguing that products at this level tend to see demand fall by more than the size of the price increase. Their bigger worry is what happens when that same dynamic hits the iPhone. To give a sense of what that could look like, KeyBanc is expecting iPhone revenue growth to slow sharply in fiscal 2027, coming in well below the broader consensus.
Adding to the pressure, KeyBanc also flagged that U.S. carriers may pull back on device subsidies as costs rise, which would likely extend how long customers hold onto their phones before upgrading and could complicate Apple's growth story both domestically and internationally.
The Valuation Leaves Little Room for ErrorOverall MarketRank™86th Percentile
Analyst RatingModerate Buy
Upside/Downside3.8% Downside
Short Interest LevelHealthy
Dividend StrengthStrong
News Sentiment0.57 Insider TradingSelling Shares
Proj. Earnings Growth9.50%
See Full Analysis
Then there's the valuation itself. Apple currently trades at around 36 times forward earnings, which is one of the highest multiples among its mega-cap technology peers. That feels like a lot to pay for a company that doesn't yet have a clear AI-driven catalyst for either growth or margin expansion.
Add in a China business facing both slowing sales and margin pressures, and the risk-reward balance starts to look increasingly skewed to the downside.
Now, none of this means Apple's underlying business is broken. Its ecosystem stickiness remains one of the most powerful competitive moats in all of technology. That stickiness is arguably now doing more heavy lifting than the hardware itself as competition intensifies.
But stickiness alone may not be enough to continue justifying a premium multiple if Apple doesn’t convince investors in its upcoming earnings report that its AI initiatives are gaining momentum.
How to Think About the Upcoming ReportWith those earnings now just over two weeks away, the report is shaping up as a genuine test of which side of this argument is right. If Apple can show clear signs that its AI features are translating into stronger Services growth, resilient iPhone demand, or improving margins despite cost pressures, the bulls will have concrete evidence to point to.
However, if the report instead confirms the slowing growth and margin compression that skeptics like KeyBanc are forecasting, the stock's recent run toward all-time highs could look increasingly hard to justify.
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Apple zveřejnil pravidla pro reklamy v Apple Maps a na rozdíl od Googlu zakáže domácí služby, jako jsou instalatéři či elektrikáři. V Mapách zobrazí vždy jen jednu reklamu.
Apple has quietly published a rulebook for its new Maps ads, revealing a more curated approach than advertising giant Google.
The iPhone maker has not disclosed a launch date for Maps ads, which was announced earlier this year, beyond saying they would arrive “this summer” in the U.S. and Canada. However, the company has published advertiser documentation and Maps-specific ad policies, suggesting the rollout is approaching.
In a newly published Apple Advertising Services policy, effective as of July 14, 2026, the iPhone maker shares its rules for advertising on Apple Maps. Notably, it prohibits the broad category of home services businesses, like plumbing, electrical, locksmith, HVAC, pest control, roofing, and general contracting services, among others.
That sets Apple apart from Google, where Local Services Ads are one of the company’s largest local advertising categories. Apple’s policy suggests the company is initially limiting its ads to places with a physical presence that their customers actually visit.
Apple did not respond to a request for comment about the new rulebook.
Image Credits:Apple This approach could help make Apple’s ads feel more like organic map listings, rather than traditional paid search ads.
It could also save Apple some headaches as it gets its Apple Maps ads off the ground. Home services businesses, including locksmiths and garage door service providers, often require additional verification. Google, for instance, allows these categories, but requires initial verifications, follow-ups, and audits to remain in good standing.
Apple’s curated approach to its App Store is also spilling over into its newest advertising vertical. In addition to banning home services, the policy prohibits a handful of businesses from advertising on Maps, like cryptocurrency ATMs and bail bonds providers.
Apple is also taking a hands-on approach to approving ads for businesses offering medical services, as the policy notes these ads will be “evaluated on a case-by-case basis.”
These restrictions appear in a dedicated section of the new “Apple Advertising Services
News and Stocks, Maps, and Sports Programming Policies,” which details the rules around publishing ads across Apple’s first-party apps beyond the App Store.
The broader policy also prohibits deceptive or profane ads, political ads, and ads featuring weapons, violence, controlled substances, defamatory material, and more.
Although Apple may expand to other ad categories over time, its initial approach positions Maps and its ads as a more curated, navigation-focused product, rather than an extension of a web search engine.
Apple’s approach to displaying ads will also differ from Google; Apple said it would only show a single ad to users in its Maps search results. It noted that the advertised businesses would be clearly marked with a small blue halo around the pin, and labeled as an ad in the list of Suggested Places.
Apple also said that data about the ads that users interact with stays on the device and is not collected by the company or shared with third parties.
Another recent update to Apple’s Advertising Services Terms of Service also suggests that Apple could be planning to expand its Apple Apps to non-Apple-owned services, a report from Mobile Dev Memo noted. Apple has not confirmed any changes on that front, however.
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Apple podle The Information zvažuje nákup čipových firem, aby posílil vývoj serverových procesorů pro AI. Firma zároveň čelí problémům s výkonem vlastních AI serverů.
View of an Apple logo at an Apple store in Paris, France, April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
July 15 (Reuters) - Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab is looking to buy chip companies to bolster its efforts to make server processors for running AI, The Information reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Here are some details:
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The iPhone maker has approached chip startups to gauge their interest in a buyout and has spoken with bankers about possible deals, the report said.
Apple's interest comes as it faces challenges with the performance of its in-house AI servers, which currently run on internally designed M2 Ultra chips, according to The Information.
It had originally planned to ship a future version of its AI server chip, known internally as "Baltra", this year, but the project has been pushed back, people familiar with the matter told The Information.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the report.
Earlier this year, Apple tried running Google's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Gemini models on its internal servers as part of a Siri overhaul, but the Mac-based chips could not handle the large model, forcing the company to run parts of the revamped assistant on Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab chips in Google's cloud infrastructure, the report said.
Apple has historically avoided large acquisitions, last making a deal in January for Q.ai, an Israeli company working on AI technology for audio.
The company had $45.57 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of March 28, the end of its second quarter.
Last week, Apple said it plans to spend over $30 billion under a multi-year chip supply deal with Broadcom (AVGO.O), opens new tab, bolstering its domestic sourcing.
Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Čínský regulátor zaregistroval Apple Intelligence pro iPhony v Číně, což otevírá cestu k dlouho očekávanému spuštění. Služba má využívat modely od Baidu a Alibaba.
Item 1 of 2 A man takes images of the new iPhone 17 Pro smartphones as they are displayed at the Apple store in Beijing's Sanlitun area during the start of sales in Beijing, China September 19, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
[1/2]A man takes images of the new iPhone 17 Pro smartphones as they are displayed at the Apple store in Beijing's Sanlitun area during the start of sales in Beijing, China September 19, 2025.... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more
BEIJING, July 15 (Reuters) - China's cyberspace regulator said on Wednesday that Apple's on-device generative AI service, Apple Intelligence, has been registered for use on iPhones in China, paving the way for the long-anticipated rollout of the service in the country.
China requires companies to register large language models and generative AI services with regulators before making them available to the public.
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Apple Intelligence will incorporate capabilities from AI models developed by Baidu and Alibaba, a source familiar with the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
The development could help bolster Apple's position in China, where consumers have been waiting for the rollout of Apple Intelligence.
Alibaba (9988.HK), opens new tab said in a statement to Reuters that its Qwen model will be integrated into Apple Intelligence across Apple's iPhone (iOS), iPad (iPadOS), Mac (macOS) and Vision Pro (visionOS) operating systems in China.
Apple is also working with Baidu to develop Apple Intelligence features for Chinese iPhone users, a Baidu spokesperson said.
The regulator's statement did not give a launch date for Apple Intelligence in China.
Apple reported a 24.4% year-on-year increase in its China shipments in the second quarter.
Separately, ZTE's (000063.SZ), opens new tab Nubia-Doubao smartphone model was also registered with the cyberspace regulator.
Nubia is a smartphone brand owned by telecoms equipment maker ZTE, which works with ByteDance to produce the AI-focused Doubao smartphone.
Reporting by Ethan Wang, Che Pan and Liz Lee. Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Mark Potter
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Liz Lee covers a range of China-related stories from Beijing, including diplomacy, policy, economic data, and extreme weather events. She has reported on breaking news and enterprise stories since joining Reuters in Malaysia. She previously focused on corporate deals and news in Kuala Lumpur, from IPOs to labour issues. Liz is a fellow at the International Strategic Forum and is part of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. Her work also contributed to a story selected as a Pulitzer Prize finalist, which looked into scam centres in Southeast Asia.
Akcie Apple v úterý klesly asi o 1 % poté, co KeyBanc snížil rating na Underweight kvůli zpomalujícímu růstu a slabší poptávce po hardwaru. Analytik zároveň stanovil cílovou cenu 250 USD.
Apple AAPL stock fell around 1% on Tuesday after KeyBanc Capital Markets downgraded the iPhone maker, citing slowing hardware demand, weaker growth expectations, and valuation concerns despite the stock's strong performance over the past year.
Shares declined about 1.7% to $311.91 on Tuesday after analyst Brandon Nispel cut his rating on the stock to Underweight from Sector Weight.
He also assigned a $250 price target, implying roughly 21% downside from Monday's closing price.
The downgrade comes as Wall Street remains broadly positive on Apple, with several analysts maintaining bullish ratings and higher price targets.
The stock recovered some of the losses and was trading down 0.46% at the time of writing.
In a research note, Nispel said KeyBanc's spending checks pointed to "another month of below-trend growth" for Apple in June, adding that growth was beginning to fade after receiving a boost in 2025.
The analyst highlighted sluggish iPhone sales, weaker demand for Macs and iPads, and the potential impact those trends could have on Apple's higher-margin services business, including iCloud and Apple Music.
Nispel also argued that the company's valuation leaves little room for disappointment.
He wrote that the combination of slowing hardware demand and softer services growth would make the stock appear "too expensive."
Apple currently trades at about 36 times expected fiscal 2026 earnings, above both its five-year historical average and the broader S&P 500.
According to Nispel's analysis, June indexed hardware spending fell 2% month over month, compared with a three-year average growth rate of 9%, suggesting US demand has normalized following last year's tariff-driven surge.
He also expects slower iPhone production, weaker upgrade activity in the United States, and reduced device subsidies to weigh on future growth.
In his view, consensus forecasts for iPhone, Mac, iPad, Wearables and Services through 2027 are too optimistic and could require downward revisions.
Despite the downgrade, Apple continues to enjoy broad support from analysts.
The stock has gained 1.4% over the past week, 6.4% over the past month and 51% over the past year.
Wall Street currently maintains a Moderate Buy consensus, with an average 12-month price target of $327.20.
Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring reiterated his Buy rating and maintained a $360 price target.
Woodring said Apple's pricing power remains a key advantage, arguing that demand for major products remains resilient even as prices increase.
He said, "demand for key devices such as the iPhone, Mac, and iPad is relatively insensitive to price changes, allowing Apple to raise prices without materially weakening unit demand, while also protecting margins as component costs rise."
He also expects higher iPhone pricing and new AI-focused products to support earnings growth over the coming years.
Price increases and future growth remain in focusApple announced in late June that it would increase prices for MacBooks and iPads as memory component costs continue to rise.
Woodring believes upcoming iPhone price increases, combined with Apple's product roadmap featuring new form factors and AI-enhanced user experiences, could lift both near-term and fiscal 2027 earnings per share.
Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani also maintained a Buy rating on Apple and set a $365 price target.
Apple se vyhnul masivním výdajům na AI infrastrukturu a sází na to, že ovládne způsob, jakým spotřebitelé AI používají. Morgan Stanley odhaduje, že 1,3 miliardy iPhonů nepodporuje novou Siri, což může spustit velký cyklus výměny.
For the past two years, investors have measured the artificial intelligence race by one metric above all others: spending. Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT | MSFT Price Prediction), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) are collectively on pace to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI infrastructure this year, betting that bigger data centers and more powerful chips will translate into long-term dominance.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), by comparison, looked like the odd company out. It avoided the AI spending arms race, rolled out Apple Intelligence at a measured pace, and has yet to deliver the fully capable AI-powered Siri it promised. Yet the market is beginning to rethink that narrative.
Apple is the best-performing Magnificent Seven stock year to date, suggesting investors are starting to recognize that winning AI may depend less on building the biggest model than on controlling how consumers actually use it.
Apple Is Playing a Different AI Game Unlike the hyperscalers, Apple isn’t spending tens of billions of dollars building frontier AI models. Instead, it is positioning itself as the gateway through which consumers interact with AI every day.
At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, the company introduced App Intents, the framework allowing Siri to perform actions inside apps instead of simply answering questions. Booking a reservation, buying products, scheduling appointments, or completing tasks could eventually happen through a simple voice command rather than manually opening an app.
Ironically, Apple may not need the best AI model if it owns the customer relationship. Rather than competing head-to-head with ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or future models, Apple could become an AI traffic controller, routing requests to whichever model is fastest, cheapest, or most capable for a given task while keeping sensitive information processed locally on-device whenever possible.
That approach also aligns with Apple’s longstanding emphasis on privacy.
If agentic AI becomes the preferred way consumers interact with technology — asking Siri to complete purchases, manage schedules, and coordinate digital tasks automatically — it creates a compelling reason to upgrade hardware, not simply download another app.
That’s an important distinction because Apple’s business has always been strongest when software innovation drives hardware sales.
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Granted, Apple’s enhanced Siri remains unfinished. The vision has been outlined, but execution still lies ahead. Investors shouldn’t confuse the roadmap with a guaranteed outcome.
Apple Could Become The Toll Booth For Consumer AI Surprisingly, Apple’s greatest AI opportunity may have little to do with selling smartphones. If intelligent agents become the primary interface between consumers and digital services, Apple already owns the hardware ecosystem where those interactions occur across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision products.
That opens the door to new revenue streams through premium AI subscriptions, transaction fees when AI agents complete purchases, or partnerships with multiple AI providers. Instead of competing against every AI company, Apple could benefit from all of them.
It’s a strategy that resembles the App Store playbook. Apple didn’t invent most mobile apps, but it built the platform that connected developers with consumers.
Agentic AI could become the next version of that ecosystem.
Key Takeaway In short, Apple’s AI strategy has often been criticized because it hasn’t matched rivals dollar for dollar in AI infrastructure spending. Yet investors may have been looking at the wrong scoreboard.
If AI ultimately becomes something consumers use through personal assistants instead of standalone chatbots, Apple already controls the devices where those interactions are most likely to occur. Morgan Stanley’s estimate that 1.3 billion iPhones cannot support the next-generation Siri also hints at what could become the largest hardware refresh cycle in the company’s history.
That said, execution remains the biggest risk. Apple still must deliver the intelligent Siri it has promised. Until it does, the investment case rests on potential rather than proven results.
Ultimately, if Apple succeeds, skipping the AI capital spending race may prove to be one of the smartest investments it never made.
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Apple podle Bloombergu urychluje plán uvedení čipů M7 kvůli tlaku v oblasti AI a může vynechat verze Pro, Max a Ultra u M6. M7 Ultra má nabídnout pokročilejší výkon v oblasti AI.
According to a report, the company plans to skip higher-performance versions of some of its processors along the way.
Omar Gallaga has covered technology, digital culture and other topics for outlets including CNET, NPR, WIRED, Texas Monthly, MSNBC, Consumer Reports, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic and the Austin American-Statesman, where he was a longtime tech reporter, editor and podcaster. He lives in the Texas Hill Country.
3 min read
Apple is changing the way it will handle the release of its next flagship M processors going forward, according to a report from Bloomberg's Power On newsletter.
Power On author Mark Gurman wrote that in a race to get to its M7 generation of processors, which use neural processing to improve AI performance, Apple will skip some iterations of processors along the way. For instance, whereas Apple may have released Pro, Max and Ultra versions of some M-series processors, it may not do so for the next one in line, M6, due out this fall.
Apple's M5 processors for desktop and laptop Mac computers, as well as some iPads, started becoming available in those products in the fall of 2025.
Bloomberg previously reported anticipated changes in the M6 roadmap in June, but is now reporting how Apple's plans for its processor lineup, up to the M8, are being influenced by artificial intelligence, including competition from companies like Nvidia. Gurman points to the development of advanced AI performance for the M7 Ultra processor as one reason for accelerating the chip-release roadmap. An even more advanced M8 processor codenamed Soko is also in the works, according to the report.
A representative for Apple didn't respond to a request for comment.
Apple's long game on AIApple has not been as overtly aggressive with its AI efforts as other tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Meta and OpenAI. But as Gurman suggests in his report, it has been quietly laying the groundwork for its long-term AI goals using technology it developed, even on failed projects such as the canceled Apple Car.
The company has delayed versions of its Siri assistant to refine its AI capabilities while continuing to develop processors that can handle the high demands of on-device AI rather than offloading processing to data centers, as many AI services do.
This strategy has served Apple well in the past: Wait for others to introduce new technology, learn from their mistakes, and then release its own products that are more refined. It's how Apple dominated headphones with its AirPods and what it did in wearables with the Apple Watch.
But with AI, Apple is battling competitors -- including partners like Google -- on several fronts. And that is requiring the company to shift its strategy in several ways. With its processors, Apple is pushing for improvements in memory bandwidth and Neural Engine improvements, said Mahdi Eslamimehr. executive vice president at Quandary Peak Research.
"Skipping the M6 Pro, Max and Ultra to pull the M7 generation forward is the clearest signal yet that AI has displaced CPU and graphics as the organizing principle of Apple's chip roadmap," Eslamimehr told CNET.
That move, he said, is bolstered by the company's hardware chief, John Ternus, taking over as CEO in the fall. "That silicon-first bet now has backing at the very top of the company," Eslamimehr said.
Apple, he said, won't be competing with Nvidia on the data center side of the AI business where it dominates with its processors, but will instead focus on making devices that excel as private, on-device AI computing powerhouses that eventually "would push local performance toward workstation class."
The payoff for Apple power users, he said, will be more powerful hardware-native AI, but it might not be until late 2027 before they get their hands on top-tier Apple M7 hardware.
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Omar Gallaga has covered technology, digital culture and other topics for outlets including CNET, NPR, WIRED, Texas Monthly, MSNBC, Consumer Reports, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic and the Austin American-Statesman, where he was a longtime tech reporter, editor and podcaster. He lives in the Texas Hill Country. See full bio
Apple získal část aktiv společnosti SigScalr a najal některé její zaměstnance. SigScalr vyvíjí open-source platformu SigLens pro správu logů a observabilitu.
Apple acquired certain assets of SigScalr and hired certain SigScalr employees, according to a list of acquisitions maintained by the European Commission.
The list said that “SigScalr develops a data log management and observability tool” and that Apple notified the commission of the acquisition on March 12.
The commission posted the details on its website Monday (July 13), according to 9to5Mac, which flagged the news of the acquisition in a Monday report.
SigScalr offers the open-source observability platform SigLens, which helps developers collect, search and analyze logs, metrics and traces generated by apps and infrastructure, according to the report.
The company’s website is now offline, and the platform’s GitHub repository was made read-only, according to the report.
In an archival notice posted in the repository, SigScalr said: “As we focus on something new, the repository will remain available in read-only mode for anyone who finds it useful. If you’d like to fork it, build on it, or take it in a new direction, we wholeheartedly encourage that. We are also changing the license to a more permissive Apache 2.0 license.”
MacRumors said in a Monday report on the acquisition that SigLens “was known for being a cost-effective and fast solution compared to many competing platforms.”
Apple Insider reported Monday that Apple’s acquisition of SigScalr will give it “a tool to monitor and debug the processes of large numbers of interrelated applications.”
SigLens Founder and CEO Kunal Nawale said in his LinkedIn profile: “By using our self-hosted or our SaaS, companies save 90% on their observability bills. We provide lightning-fast query response times on any volume of data thereby reducing your debugging time during production issues.”
SigScalr announced in a February 2024 press release that it emerged from stealth and closed a $1.76 million pre-seed round that was led by Scribble Ventures with co-investments from WestWave Capital and Forward Slash Capital.
PYMNTS reported in November that Palo Alto Networks announced plans to acquire observability platform Chronosphere for $3.35 billion.
Like other observability platforms, Chronosphere collects detailed data from applications and infrastructure to help engineers understand why problems occur and where they originate, according to the report.
Palo Alto Networks’ acquisition of the company closed in January, according to a Jan. 29 press release.
Apple žaluje OpenAI kvůli údajnému zneužití obchodního tajemství. Tvrdí, že bývalý zaměstnanec, systémový elektroinženýr Chang Liu, po odchodu z firmy zneužil vzácnou dosud neznámou autentizační chybu a stáhl důvěrné soubory.
On Friday, Apple dropped the bombshell news it was suing OpenAI over the alleged theft of trade secrets, claiming that OpenAI stole Apple’s confidential data and engaged in efforts to learn proprietary information while recruiting former Apple employees.
In accusing OpenAI of stealing secrets about Apple’s unreleased products, Apple revealed that a former employee allegedly siphoned reams of sensitive files from the company’s shared network folders, weeks after leaving Apple for a job at OpenAI.
In its complaint, Apple says the former employee, a system electrical engineer named Chang Liu, allegedly “exploited a rare, previously unknown authentication bug” that allowed access to the company’s network. The bug is classified as a zero-day vulnerability, meaning that Apple had no time to fix it before it was allegedly exploited.
Apple has since fixed the bug and said it terminated the employee’s access once it learned of this “security breach.” In its complaint, Apple said the bug could have allowed a “few other” people to access data on its network, but alleged that only Liu exploited the bug to steal Apple’s confidential information while no longer an employee, citing a check of its server logs.
The disclosure, while light in detail, highlights the challenges that organizations face with protecting sensitive corporate data after employees no longer work there. Companies often move to immediately cut off departing staff from further access to protect any sensitive information from leaving, including inadvertently. Companies that fail to fully decommission their employees’ accounts can face future security lapses, data breaches, or malicious actions by disgruntled staff.
Apple spokespeople did not respond to an email from TechCrunch with questions about the security vulnerability, how it was exploited, and when the company decommissioned the employee’s credentials.
“LOL… so funny.” In the complaint, Apple alleged that Liu took “dozens of Apple’s confidential hardware-related files” over the course of several weeks while as a new OpenAI employee.
Apple said the files contained “detailed information about unreleased products, engineering presentations, technical specifications, and proprietary project data.”
The company claims Liu failed to return the Apple-issued work laptop he had previously used to access Apple’s network, suggesting it was once able to send and receive files from Apple’s internal systems. The complaint said that Liu allegedly claimed to have “another computer.” While he was at OpenAI, Liu also allegedly misused the access of an acquaintance, Yu-Ting Peng, a then-Apple employee who later went to work for OpenAI. Liu allegedly used Peng’s Apple-issued work laptop “while she was still employed at Apple and he was not.”
Apple said that during February 2026, Liu “tried to access Apple’s network storage — a cloud-based file repository containing Apple’s confidential engineering files, project documentation, and other proprietary information.”
Liu had allegedly discovered that he “still could access Apple’s network repository after leaving Apple, the result of a then-unknown authentication vulnerability.”
Apple did not describe the authentication “bug” that Liu allegedly used to access Apple’s network. However, authentication bugs generally refer to flaws in the login process that allow improper access to systems or data, either because of a weakness in how the login mechanism works or due to a misconfiguration, such as overbroad permissions or not decommissioning the login credentials of a former employee.
Apple wrote in its complaint that when Liu learned he had unauthorized access to Apple’s systems, he did not report the bug to Apple under his employment agreement obligations, nor did he return his Apple-issued work laptop.
The complaint added that Liu also failed to “delete the program that allowed the access” to Apple’s network. The company did not say what program or app that Liu allegedly used to access Apple’s systems. It’s not uncommon for employees to have tools, such as a work-approved VPN or remote-viewing app, that allow them to access sensitive data from outside of the company’s offices using their credentials.
Given that Liu was previously granted credentials to Apple’s network as an employee, TechCrunch asked Apple when the company decommissioned Liu’s access, but we did not hear back.
Once Liu allegedly gained access to the network share, he wrote to Peng: “LOL, I found out I can access the [network storage], so funny.”
Apple filed its suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Jose, and has demanded a jury trial. OpenAI previously said it has “no interest in other companies’ trade secrets.”
The case, if it proceeds, could begin this year.
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Apple od minima z 25. června vzrostl o 15 % a přidal téměř 600 miliard USD tržní kapitalizace. Investoři dávají přednost jeho silnému cash flow před vysokými výdaji do AI.
Apple's 15% rebound reflects investor preference for stronger cash flow over AI infrastructure spending. Summary
Apple outperforms AI peers as investors reassess AI spending returns.
Investors have moved back into Apple AAPL , the iPhone maker, as growing concerns about returns from artificial intelligence spending weigh on chipmakers and cloud-computing companies. Apple shares have climbed 15% since reaching a low on June 25, adding nearly $600 billion in market value and returning to record territory. Over the same period, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index declined 7%, while the S&P 500 advanced 3% and the Nasdaq 100 gained 1.3%. Investors increasingly appear to view Apple's decision to avoid the data-center spending race as an advantage, particularly as the market questions how much return large technology companies may generate from their AI investments. Mark Bronzo, chief investment strategist at Rye Strategic Partners, said Apple is benefiting from being outside the pressure facing the broader AI trade, where concerns have emerged over hyperscaler spending and semiconductor valuations.
Apple's 16% gain in 2026 has made it the strongest performer among the Magnificent Seven technology companies, even though the semiconductor index remains 83% higher this year. Alphabet GOOGL , a technology company investing heavily in cloud computing and AI, and Amazon AMZN , a technology company operating a major cloud-computing business, are both more than 10% below their May peaks, while Microsoft MSFT , a technology company with a large cloud-computing operation, has fallen 20% in 2026. Apple has also faced pressure from rising memory-chip prices, which could affect profit margins and prompted the company to increase prices across Macs, iPads and home devices on June 25. JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee suggested that Apple's past pricing increases have had limited effects on longer-term sales volumes, supporting the view that its customers may be more willing than other hardware buyers to accept higher prices.
Investors may also see a potential catalyst in Apple's foldable iPhone, which is expected to be released in September and carry a premium price. Apple reportedly asked suppliers to prepare production for approximately 10 million foldable iPhones this year, above an earlier projection of seven million to eight million units. The company's fiscal 2026 revenue is expected to increase nearly 15%, representing its fastest annual growth since 2021, while net income is projected to rise 17%. Apple's free cash flow is forecast to reach a record $140 billion this year, more than 40% above 2025, while Alphabet's free cash flow is expected to decline about 67% to $21 billion. However, Apple trades at 33 times projected earnings for the next 12 months, compared with its 10-year average of 23 times, and only 61% of analysts tracked by Bloomberg recommend buying the stock, suggesting investors are paying a substantial valuation premium for its cash generation, more conservative spending approach and possible new iPhone upgrade cycle.
Apple žaluje OpenAI kvůli údajnému zneužití obchodního tajemství a chce soudně zakázat používání svých důvěrných informací. Spor míří na hardware a může zbrzdit ambice OpenAI v AI zařízeních.
Apple's decision to sue OpenAI marks one of the biggest legal confrontations yet in the artificial intelligence industry, transforming what was once a strategic partnership into an increasingly bitter rivalry.
The iPhone maker alleges that OpenAI systematically acquired Apple trade secrets to accelerate its ambitions in AI hardware, accusing the ChatGPT creator of using former employees, recruiting tactics, and supplier relationships to gain access to confidential information.
The lawsuit filed on Friday comes at a time when the battle in artificial intelligence is expanding beyond software models into consumer devices, making hardware the next major competitive frontier.
Here is a closer look at what Apple's lawsuit is about, why it matters, and what it could mean for the AI industry.
Apple's complaint alleges that OpenAI orchestrated a broad campaign to obtain confidential information relating to Apple's unreleased technologies, manufacturing processes, and products.
According to the lawsuit, OpenAI relied heavily on former Apple employees and supplier relationships to accelerate development of its own hardware products.
"Recently, significant evidence has emerged suggesting individuals employed by OpenAI wrongfully took Apple's secret and confidential information regarding our unreleased technologies, processes, and products," an Apple spokesperson said.
OpenAI has denied the allegations.
"We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets," OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said.
"We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere."
Apple is seeking a court order preventing OpenAI from possessing or using its confidential information and wants the AI company to return any Apple intellectual property it may possess.
The lawsuit represents a remarkable reversal in the relationship between the two companies.
In 2024, Apple announced a major partnership with OpenAI that integrated ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads, and Macs as part of its Apple Intelligence initiative.
That alliance, however, has steadily weakened.
Last month, Apple unveiled a revamped Siri powered by Google's Gemini AI model rather than ChatGPT, signalling a shift in its AI strategy.
Meanwhile, OpenAI has increasingly moved toward building its own consumer hardware ecosystem.
The turning point came when OpenAI agreed to acquire io Products, the hardware startup founded by legendary former Apple designer Jony Ive, in a deal valued at $6.4 billion.
The acquisition made clear that OpenAI intended to compete directly in hardware rather than simply provide AI software.
"OpenAI's nascent hardware business now rests on the shakiest of foundations, rotten to its core by its illegal reliance on misappropriated trade secrets," Apple said in its complaint.
Much of Apple's complaint focuses on former executives who later joined OpenAI.
Among those named is Tang Tan, OpenAI's chief hardware officer and a former Apple vice president.
Apple alleges Tan directed Apple employees interviewing with OpenAI to disclose confidential information.
"He has directed job candidates still working for Apple to bring 'actual parts' from Apple to their interviews for 'show and tell' sessions in which he and his team at OpenAI can elicit still more Apple confidential information," Apple alleged.
The lawsuit also names former Apple employee Chang Liu, alleging he stole an Apple laptop before joining OpenAI.
According to the lawsuit, Liu allegedly left Apple with three key assets: a company-issued MacBook that was never returned, an ongoing relationship with an Apple employee who continued sharing internal information, and, most significantly, knowledge of a software flaw that gave him continued access to Apple's internal file servers.
"LOL, I found out I can access the (network storage), so funny," Liu allegedly wrote to his former Apple colleague, Alyssa Peng, Bloomberg reported.
Liu then used that access to download presentations, hardware designs, manufacturing details and testing procedures – while already working at OpenAI, Apple alleges.
According to Apple, OpenAI also coached departing employees on how to avoid Apple's internal security procedures when leaving the company.
The complaint notes that more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI.
"That OpenAI now employs people who were once entrusted with Apple's trade secrets does not entitle OpenAI to use that information to jumpstart its hardware efforts," Apple wrote.
The complaint goes beyond employee recruitment.
Apple alleges OpenAI sought confidential information from Apple's manufacturing partners and suppliers.
One allegation claims OpenAI asked a hardware supplier to reproduce a proprietary metal-finishing technique developed by Apple while leading the supplier to believe Apple had authorised the work.
The company also claims that Tang Tan carried confidential information relating to Apple suppliers after leaving the company.
Apple said it first raised concerns with OpenAI in February, writing to the company about what it believed was the misuse of confidential information.
According to the complaint, OpenAI did not respond.
The lawsuit reflects a broader shift underway in artificial intelligence.
While AI companies initially competed by building increasingly powerful language models, attention is now turning toward dedicated AI devices that could reduce dependence on smartphones.
OpenAI's acquisition of Jony Ive's startup signalled ambitions to create new categories of AI hardware.
For Apple, whose business remains centred around the iPhone, such efforts represent a potential long-term competitive threat.
"Apple sees OpenAI moving from partner to potential rival, while OpenAI is trying to reduce its dependence on the iPhone and build a direct relationship with consumers," PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore told Reuters.
"Even if the allegations are not proven, the lawsuit could delay OpenAI's hardware ambitions and further weaken what is already becoming an increasingly fragile partnership."
Does Apple have a history of such lawsuits?Yes.
Apple has previously taken legal action against former employees whom it believed misused confidential information.
In 2019, it sued former chief chip architect Gerard Williams III after he left to establish semiconductor startup Nuvia.
Apple eventually dropped that case in 2023.
The current lawsuit also recalls one of the company's most famous legal battles under Steve Jobs.
Jobs famously described Google's Android operating system as "a stolen product" and vowed to wage "thermonuclear war" against it.
According to accounts published at the time, Jobs said he would "spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong."
Some observers see Apple's action against OpenAI as a similar attempt to slow an emerging competitor before it can reshape the consumer technology landscape.
Legal experts say Apple has raised serious allegations, but proving them may not be straightforward.
Mark Lemley, a professor at Stanford Law School, said the case could become significant if Apple can demonstrate that confidential documents were actually taken and used.
"But if Apple's claims that the employees took confidential documents with them — and that OpenAI is using those documents — are true, that is a problem for OpenAI," Lemley said in a Reuters report.
At the same time, he noted that hiring former employees is not illegal in California, where employment laws have historically encouraged labour mobility.
Rutgers Law School professor Camilla Hrdy said the dispute could prove unusually complex because most previous AI trade-secret cases have focused on software rather than hardware.
"These trade secret lawsuits are frequently brought in the tech space, and we usually learn much, much more as the case develops. OpenAI is not a defendant that can't afford to defend itself," Hrdy said.
Regardless of the eventual outcome, the lawsuit underscores how the AI race is rapidly expanding beyond algorithms into hardware, manufacturing and intellectual property, making the competition between technology giants increasingly resemble the smartphone wars that defined the previous decade.
Apple a Broadcom rozšiřují partnerství v oblasti čipů na více let za více než 30 miliard USD. Broadcom bude pro Apple dál vyrábět zakázkové čipy a bezdrátové technologie až do roku 2031.
Apple (AAPL - Free Report) ) and Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) ) grabbed investors' attention this week after announcing a major expansion of their semiconductor partnership.
The agreement, expected to exceed $30 billion over multiple years, will see Broadcom continuing to design and manufacture custom silicon and advanced wireless connectivity technologies for Apple products while significantly expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint.
This partnership underscores Apple's commitment to strengthening its domestic supply chain while ensuring continued access to critical wireless components. Meanwhile, Broadcom further solidifies one of its largest customer relationships, extending its role as a key Apple supplier through 2031.
However, investors may be wondering if the extended partnership provides a big enough tailwind to still buy stock in either tech giant, especially Broadcom, with AVGO soaring over 130% in the last two years while Apple shares are up a respectable 37%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Apple's Supply Chain Gets Even StrongerApple has spent years increasing control over its hardware ecosystem through custom silicon, and the latest Broadcom agreement complements that strategy rather than replacing it.
The agreement covers custom silicon, radio frequency components, FBAR filters, and advanced wireless connectivity technologies that are essential for future generations of iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices.
Production is expected to exceed 15 billion U.S.-made chips, with Broadcom investing approximately $1.5 billion to expand its Fort Collins, Colorado, manufacturing facility.
This will also advance Apple's broader $600 billion U.S. investment initiative, which includes expanding domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reducing supply chain concentration overseas.
From a financial perspective, the agreement doesn't materially alter Apple's near-term earnings outlook. Still, it does reduce execution risk by locking in a trusted supplier for mission-critical connectivity chips, with Apple gaining traction on Nvidia (NVDA - Free Report) ) to become the world’s most valuable company.
Broadcom May Be the Bigger Immediate WinnerWhile Apple benefits strategically, Broadcom may receive the more immediate financial boost.
Apple has historically represented roughly 20% of Broadcom's annual revenue, making the iPhone maker one of its most important customers. Extending the partnership through 2031 removes uncertainty surrounding one of Broadcom's largest revenue streams while reinforcing demand for its custom connectivity and semiconductor solutions.
The agreement also comes as Broadcom continues to benefit from multiple secular growth trends.
Beyond Apple, Broadcom remains one of the semiconductor industry's largest beneficiaries of artificial intelligence infrastructure spending, supplying custom AI accelerators, networking chips, and data center connectivity solutions to hyperscale customers.
The Apple agreement further diversifies Broadcom's growth profile by adding another long-duration revenue catalyst outside traditional enterprise AI spending.
Tracking the Trend of EPS RevisionsBased on Zacks estimates, Apple’s annual earnings are expected to increase 17% this year and are projected to rise another 9% in fiscal 2027 to $9.57 per share. In the last 60 days, FY26 EPS estimates have remained unchanged, while FY27 EPS revisions are modestly higher.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Pivoting to Broadcom, FY26 EPS is expected to spike more than 70% to $11.73 compared to earnings of $6.82 per share last year. Furthermore, Broadcom’s annual earnings are projected to increase another 63% next year to $19.17 per share.
Broadcom’s FY26 EPS estimates are up 2% in the last 60 days from $11.45, with FY27 EPS revisions rising 7% from $17.81.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AAPL & AVGO Valuation Comparison (P/E)At current levels, Apple and Broadcom stock trade at noticeable premiums to the benchmark S&P 500, with forward P/E multiples of roughly 36X and 39X, respectively.
While those valuations are elevated relative to the benchmark's forward earnings multiple of around 23X, neither stock appears excessively valued compared to many other high-growth technology companies.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Choosing Between Apple & Broadcom Stock Apple generally trades at a premium valuation because of its unmatched ecosystem, recurring services revenue, exceptional profitability, and consistent capital returns. Investors typically view Apple as a lower-volatility mega-cap technology holding capable of delivering dependable long-term earnings growth.
Broadcom generally offers faster earnings growth thanks to its expanding AI infrastructure business, enterprise software operations, and custom semiconductor portfolio. Although Broadcom’s valuation has risen considerably during the AI boom, analysts continue to project robust double-digit EPS growth over the next several years.
For investors seeking greater AI exposure, Broadcom may offer a higher long-term growth ceiling and better capital appreciation (stock performance). Those prioritizing stability and cash generation that lead to reliable shareholder returns through dividends and stock buybacks may find Apple the more conservative choice.
Summary & ConclusionApple's expanded partnership with Broadcom reinforces the strategic importance of both companies in the evolving semiconductor landscape. Apple strengthens its domestic supply chain while securing critical wireless technologies for future devices, and Broadcom gains additional long-term revenue visibility through one of its most valuable customer relationships.
Despite the positive implications of the announcement, Apple and Broadcom stock both land a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at the moment. That said, a buy rating could be on the way for Broadcom if EPS revisions continue to rise, but this may be less plausible for Apple after today’s news that its iPhone sales are still slowing in China.
Apple zažalovala OpenAI a dva bývalé zaměstnance kvůli údajnému zneužití obchodních tajemství, včetně návrhů produktů a výrobních procesů. Spor se týká snahy OpenAI rozšířit se do spotřebního hardwaru.
A person points to an iPhone during Apple's event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 9, 2025. REUTERS/Manuel Orbegozo /File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
SummaryCompaniesApple alleges coordinated effort to steal designs and manufacturing processesMore than 400 former Apple employees now work for OpenAI, Apple saysOpenAI bought io Products last year in a $6.5 billion dealTensions between Apple and OpenAI have simmered for monthsJuly 10 (Reuters) - Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab on Friday sued OpenAI and two former employees, alleging misappropriation of its trade secrets to benefit the ChatGPT-owner's foray into consumer hardware, in a dramatic escalation of already simmering tension between the two companies.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges a coordinated effort to steal Apple's confidential information, including product designs, manufacturing processes and supply chain strategies.
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OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The lawsuit was filed against Chang Liu, a former senior system electrical engineer, and former Vice President of Product Design for iPhone and Apple Watch Tang Yew Tan, as well as OpenAI Foundation, OpenAI Group PBC and io Products. Neither immediately responded to a request for comment.
Apple alleged that Liu failed to return a company-issued work laptop and later used an authentication bug to access Apple's internal network, downloading "dozens of Apple's confidential hardware-related files."
The iPhone maker also claimed that OpenAI’s hardware chief Tan had been "methodically using Apple’s confidential information to benefit OpenAI" by emailing himself information about Apple suppliers and internal industry summaries before his departure.
Apple alleged that Tan encouraged Apple employees to bring parts from Apple to job interviews at OpenAI for “show and tell” sessions, citing an incident in its filing where one OpenAI job candidate allegedly said that he “didn’t even know we could take those from the office.”
More than 400 former Apple employees now work for OpenAI, Apple said in the filing, saying that “it is not surprising” that some of them have knowledge of its confidential information.
“That OpenAI now employs people who were once entrusted with Apple’s trade secrets does not entitle OpenAI to use that information to jumpstart its hardware efforts,” the iPhone maker wrote in its complaint.
Apple also alleged that OpenAI employees sought confidential information from Apple suppliers, at one point allegedly having one of those suppliers carry out what Apple called a secret metal finishing technique on the belief that OpenAI had Apple’s permission to use the technique.
OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, last year in a $6.5 billion deal, in a push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Ive is not named in the lawsuit.
TENSIONS BREWED FOR MONTHSTensions between the two tech companies have strained their relationship, as the race to develop AI products has intensified competition for talent and proprietary technology.
In its complaint, Apple claimed it wrote to OpenAI in February with concerns that its confidential information was making its way to OpenAI, asking to discuss the matter, but received no reply.
A person familiar with the matter told Reuters in May that OpenAI was exploring legal options against Apple, including notifying the technology giant of a breach of contract but potentially not filing a full lawsuit.
In 2024, Apple announced the integration of its "Apple Intelligence" technology across its apps including Siri and brought OpenAI's chatbot ChatGPT to its devices.
Their partnership allows users to access ChatGPT results through Siri, while iPhone users can also sign up for ChatGPT memberships directly from the iOS settings menu.
Apple rolled out a long-delayed overhaul of Siri last month. The update comes two years after Apple first promised major upgrades that were repeatedly delayed.
Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru and Stephen Nellis and Deepa Seetharaman in San Francisco; Editing by Maju Samuel
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Jaspreet Singh joined Reuters as a technology reporter in April 2023. He covers a raft of developments including deals, layoffs, management changes, quarterly earnings and the latest in the world of AI. He is interested in stories that bring to light any corporate misconduct, abuse of power and innovation. Jaspreet graduated from Panjab University with a degree in Journalism. If you have any sensitive information or a tip to share, contact him for an off-the-record introduction chat. He will explain what it means to speak with a reporter on background.
Apple schválil nový program odkupu akcií za 100 miliard USD a zvýšil čtvrtletní dividendu o 4 % na 0,27 USD na akcii. Firma zároveň uvedla, že za čtvrtletí vrátila akcionářům 15 miliard USD.
$100 billion. That is the size of the fresh share buyback authorization Apple’s board approved alongside its fiscal Q2 2026 earnings, disclosed in the company’s 8-K filed April 30, 2026.
This announcement represents a reload of the existing program. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction) has now returned over $1 trillion to shareholders since the program began, of which more than $850 billion has come through repurchases. The board also lifted the company’s quarterly dividend 4% to $0.27 per share, with a May 14, 2026 payment date.
What It Means The number matters because this dividend is being funded by an operating machine that just posted its best March quarter on record. Apple’s revenue came in at $111.18 billion, up 16.6% year over year, with net income of $29.58 billion and operating income up 21.28% year over year. Diluted EPS of $2.01 beat the $1.9404 consensus, extending the streak to eight consecutive quarters of beating expectations.
The mix is the story behind the mix. Apple’s key segment (its iPhone business) delivered $56.99 billion on demand for the iPhone 17 lineup, while Services set an all-time record at $30.98 billion. That high-margin recurring stream is what makes an authorization this size credible rather than aspirational. Gross profit rose to $54.78 billion, up 22.1% year over year.
Perhaps most notably, every geographic segment posted double-digit revenue growth, including Greater China at $20.5 billion. Cash and marketable securities ended the quarter at $147 billion against $85 billion of debt, leaving a $62 billion net cash position to work with.
Market Reaction Shares have moved with the disclosure. Apple traded at $270.84 at the time of the April 30 filing and closed at $308.63 on July 2, 2026, a 13.84% move over that window. The one-week reading is stronger, with shares up 12.17% from $275.15 on June 25 to $308.63 on July 2. Year to date, the stock is up 13.74%, and the one-year return is 45.86%. Market cap sits at $4.53 trillion.
Bull Case Apple’s bull case rests on a simple pairing: record cash generation feeding a repurchase program that shrinks the share count while a hardware refresh and Services flywheel keep earnings compounding. In Q2 alone, Apple executed $11 billion in open-market repurchases of 42 million shares and paid $3.8 billion in dividends, for $15 billion returned in the quarter. The new $100 billion authorization extends a pattern that saw $90.71 billion returned via buybacks in fiscal 2025.
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Indeed, I’m of the view that Apple’s operating base supports it. Tim Cook told investors, “Today Apple is proud to report our best March quarter ever, with revenue of $111.2 billion and double-digit growth across every geographic segment.” He described the iPhone 17 family as “the most popular lineup in our history when looking at the launch through March” with 99% US customer satisfaction. Greater China, long a swing factor, grew 28% in the March quarter. CFO Kevan Parekh framed the philosophy plainly: “Our investment in the business comes first and foremost, and then we look to return excess cash to shareholders.”
Prediction markets are aligned with the direction of travel. Polymarket assigns an 89.5% probability that AAPL closes above $280 by end of July, and an 85% probability the stock touches $312 in July. Analyst consensus sits at $315.09 with 30 Buy, 15 Hold, and 3 Sell ratings.
Bottom Line For long-term holders, this $100 billion authorization is among the key fundamental factors worht considering for long-term investment. Indeed, it’s the reason why Warren Buffett and other world-class investors have continued to hold Apple, and for so long.
The company’s incredible profitability, reflected by Apple’s $28.7 billion of quarterly operating cash flow with a Services segment at record scale, supports its valuation. At 35x trailing earnings and 30x forward, I’d argue Apple looks fairly valued, particularly if the hardware and services tech giant can see growth reaccelerate in the coming quarters.
I also think the key future catalyst investors need to keep on their radar is the company’s June quarter guide of 14% to 17% revenue growth with gross margin of 47.5% to 48.5%. If Apple delivers into that range, the buyback will keep doing what it has done for a decade: quietly compound the per-share math.
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JPMorgan zvýšila cílovou cenu pro Apple na 345 USD z 325 USD a zopakovala doporučení Buy, protože vyšší ceny Maců a iPadů podle ní poptávku výrazně neoslabí.
Recent price increases for Apple's Mac and iPad devices and any potential hikes in iPhone prices are unlikely to significantly dampen consumer demand, according to JPMorgan, which has raised its price target on the iPhone maker and reiterated its Buy rating.
Analyst Samik Chatterjee said several positive catalysts could help Apple's revenue and earnings outperform current market expectations.
JPMorgan raised its price target on the stock to $345 from $325, implying roughly 11% upside from Tuesday's closing price.
According to JPMorgan, Apple's pricing history across its major product categories indicates only a limited relationship between higher prices and shipment volumes over the years.
The brokerage said Mac computers appear to be the most insulated from pricing changes, supported by a wider range of price points as well as growing demand driven by artificial intelligence-enabled features.
The entry-level iPhone and iPad segments are more sensitive to higher prices, JPMorgan acknowledged.
However, it believes any resulting weakness would create only "modest revenue headwinds" when viewed alongside continued demand for Apple's premium devices.
Apple increased prices across several Mac and iPad models last month by between $100 and $300 after soaring memory chip costs pushed up manufacturing expenses.
The company did not raise prices for iPhones.
The stock initially declined following the announcement but has since recovered strongly, gaining more than 10% over the past five trading sessions.
Wall Street remains optimisticJPMorgan's bullish outlook follows renewed optimism from other analysts.
Last week, Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan maintained a Buy rating and a $380 price target on Apple, citing stronger-than-expected App Store revenue growth and continued expansion of its high-margin services business.
Mohan expects services revenue to grow 14% year over year in Apple's fiscal third quarter and believes the company's investments in edge AI and its redesigned Siri architecture could create meaningful monetisation opportunities over time.
Together, the positive analyst commentary has helped improve sentiment around Apple's shares after a relatively subdued start to the year.
In other news, to solve its memory cost woes, the company has begun testing DRAM memory chips produced by China's state-backed ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) for devices sold within China while also lobbying the US government for permission to expand the use of the supplier's products, according to a Financial Times report.
CXMT has emerged as the world's fourth-largest producer of DRAM chips, which are widely used in smartphones, personal computers, and servers.
While the company's manufacturing capacity continues to expand, analysts do not expect it to flood the market immediately.
Ray Wang, a memory analyst at SemiAnalysis, told the Financial Times that much of CXMT's production has already been committed to customers.
Nevertheless, the industry remains wary that China's state-backed investment strategy could eventually mirror what occurred in sectors such as solar panels and electric vehicles, where rapid capacity expansion ultimately drove down prices and pressured international competitors.
AAPL is simultaneously preparing what could become its broadest iPhone lineup in years.
According to supply-chain reports cited by Nikkei Asia, the company plans to launch at least five new iPhone models between the second half of 2026 and early 2027, including its first foldable smartphone.
Apple has reportedly increased planned production of the foldable device to around 10 million units from earlier estimates of 7 million to 8 million units.
The handset is expected to carry a price tag of roughly $2,500.
According to The Motley Fool, selling 10 million foldable iPhones at that price would generate approximately $25 billion in annual revenue, representing a meaningful contribution to Apple's flagship product business, although most of that benefit is expected to materialise during fiscal 2027 rather than this year.
The publication said Apple's strategy extends beyond simply introducing a new premium device.
"Put those pieces together, and the foldable looks less like a blockbuster and more like a halo. It probably won't add much to any single quarter's revenue on its own. What it can do, however, is reset the ceiling on iPhone prices, pulling some upgraders into a pricier tier. In a maturing smartphone market, defending the high end while broadening the lineup to reach more price points could be a serious lever," it said.
Apple has begun testing DRAM chips from China's state-backed ChangXin Memory Technologies for devices sold within China and is lobbying the U.S government to permit broader use of CXMT's products, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The company's decision comes as its involvement with Chinese suppliers becomes a sensitive geopolitical issue amid growing U.S. efforts to contain China's tech ambitions.
CXMT is poised to become central to Beijing's efforts to build a self-sufficient AI supply chain and is expected to become one of the most profitable technology companies to list in Shanghai, the FT said. It reportedly plans to raise at least 29.5 billion yuan ($4.3 billion) in an upcoming IPO.
In 2022, Apple faced significant pushback from U.S. policymakers including then-Senator Marco Rubio, who is now Secretary of State, after exploring the use of Chinese memory suppliers, the FT reported. At least 15 state-owned shareholders collectively hold 36% of CXMT, the report said, adding that many of its private funds also have backing from state-owned limited partners.
CXMT is currently the world's fourth-largest producer of DRAM, a memory chip used in a wide variety of products ranging from smartphones to servers, the report said. Its market share is expected to rise to 15% by 2028 from roughly 11% last year, as new production lines come online in the Chinese cities of Hefei, Shanghai and Beijing, the report showed, citing data from SemiAnalysis.
Its main global peers in DRAM include Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology.
While CXMT's capacity is expanding, it is unlikely to immediately flood the market with cheap chips, as its output is largely pre-committed, Ray Wang, a memory analyst at SemiAnalysis, told the FT.
Nevertheless, the industry fears a long-term repeat of patterns seen in sectors like solar panels and electric vehicles, where state-backed capacity expansion ultimately led to falling global prices and squeezed foreign rivals, the report said.
Reuters previously reported that the U.S. has held off on adding CXMT, AI startup DeepSeek, and over 100 other companies to its trade blacklist, despite them being flagged as national security risks, as the Trump administration seeks to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing.
Apple and CXMT did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment.
I keep hitting the buy button on Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction), and the July 30 earnings report is not slowing me down. Every payday, I add a few more shares. The reasons are boring, repeatable, and they stack in my favor over years, which is the profile I want in a core holding heading into retirement. Here is what keeps pulling me back.
A cash machine that pays me to wait Apple generated $111.48 billion in operating cash flow in FY25 and returned $90.71 billion to shareholders through buybacks that same year. In April, the board authorized another $100 billion repurchase program and raised the quarterly dividend 4% to $0.27. Total capital returned since the program began now exceeds $1 trillion. The 0.34% yield looks small in isolation, but paired with ROE of 171.4% and ROIC of 53.3%, I am fine with management compounding capital inside the business instead of mailing it out.
The Services engine keeps widening the moat Q2 FY26 revenue reached $111.18 billion, up 16.6% year over year, with iPhone at $56.99 billion and Services at an all-time record $30.98 billion. Services gross margin ran at 76.7% on a base of over 2.5 billion active devices. That is a high-margin annuity riding on hardware customers already own. Tim Cook described Apple Intelligence as “woven into the core of our platforms”, and MacBook Neo demand is running so hot he flagged the company was “supply constrained”. Greater China grew 28% in the March quarter. Management guided June-quarter revenue growth of 14% to 17% with gross margin of 47.5% to 48.5%. That is what the July 30 report will confirm.
An earnings track record I trust Apple has delivered nine consecutive beats, with the last quarter posting an EPS of $2.01 against a $1.94 estimate. In the 30 days after that May report, shares rose 10.75%, outpacing SPY by 6.09 percentage points. Over the past year the stock is up 45.86%, and over ten years it is up 1,313.91% on a split-adjusted basis. That is the kind of compounding I plan around.
The risk I actually respect China exposure and the supply chain keep me disciplined. Greater China revenue was $20.50 billion last quarter, and Cook warned that “significantly higher memory costs” will pressure the June quarter. Add the CEO handoff to John Ternus effective September 1, 2026 and the execution bar is real. My response: those memory costs are already baked into the 47.5% to 48.5% margin guide, and Ternus is a 25-year Apple veteran inheriting a roadmap Cook publicly called “incredible”.
Why the buy button stays active At a P/E of 40 on a business printing 26.9% net margins at a $4.53 trillion market cap, Apple looks pricey on the screen and reasonable on the cash it will send my account over the next decade. I plan to keep buying through July 30, and the quarter after that, and the one after that.
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UBS uvedla, že růst tržeb App Store ve čtvrtletí končícím v červnu zpomalil na zhruba 3 % meziročně, v USA tržby klesly asi o 6 %. Analytici to spojují i s ochlazováním aktivity kolem generativní AI.
Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL, XETRA:APC)'s App Store revenue growth slowed in the June 2026 quarter, according to an analysis by UBS, which tracked third-party App Store data from Sensor Tower.
UBS analysts wrote that the App Store recorded approximately 3% year-over-year growth on a reported basis during the quarter, while growth was around 2% on a foreign exchange-neutral basis. The firm noted that growth slowed by roughly 440 basis points compared with the prior quarter, despite only a slightly more challenging comparison period.
The US market was a key source of weakness, with App Store revenue declining approximately 6% year-over-year in the quarter, UBS wrote. In other regions, the App Store grew about 9% year-over-year on a reported basis.
UBS wrote that Apple’s September 2026 quarter will face an easier comparison period, with the year-over-year growth benchmark expected to be around 10%, approximately 270 basis points lower than the June quarter comparison.
The analysts maintained their June-quarter Services revenue estimate, forecasting growth of about 14.3% year-over-year, compared with consensus expectations of roughly 14.5%.
UBS wrote that the estimate remains unchanged despite potential downside risks from slower App Store growth, noting that Apple’s Services segment continued to show strength in the March 2026 quarter, when Services revenue increased about 16.3% despite App Store growth of roughly 8%.
UBS also flagged slowing growth in generative artificial intelligence-related activity, which it views as a contributor to App Store growth. The firm wrote that AI-related growth may be moderating due to tougher comparisons and increasing market saturation.
For valuation, UBS maintained a price target of $296 for Apple shares, based on a valuation multiple of 30 times its calendar 2027 earnings-per-share estimate of $9.86. UBS wrote that the valuation reflects balanced expectations for solid demand alongside uncertainty surrounding Apple’s artificial intelligence strategy.
Shares of Apple were little changed at $313 on Tuesday afternoon.
Akcie Apple se po 6% propadu kvůli zdražení Maců a iPadů téměř vrátily k 52týdenním maximům. Investoři oceňují její opatrné výdaje na AI a silnější pozici v nedostatku DRAM.
BEIJING, CHINA - JULY 7, 2026 - Pedestrians pass by an Apple store in Beijing, China on July 7, 2026. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
This article was written by Doug Nathman, with research by his team at Trefis.
Apple (AAPL) shares fell by 6% on June 25 after the company increased Mac and iPad prices by $100 to $300, citing a memory shortage that CEO Tim Cook referred to as a “hundred-year flood.” In less than two weeks, however, the stock has recovered most of that decline, trading close to 52-week peaks. The market seems to be reassessing Apple’s situation on two counts: how well positioned the company is amidst the DRAM scarcity compared to its competitors and the apparent wisdom of its cautious approach to AI expenditures.
Apple’s Position In The DRAM ShortageDRAM contract prices surged approximately 90% to 95% in the first quarter of 2026. TrendForce anticipates an additional increase of 58% to 63% in the second quarter. Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are reallocating wafer capacity toward high-bandwidth memory for AI servers, creating shortages in the consumer supply chain. As a result, Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox lines, along with brands like Dell, HP, and Lenovo, have also raised prices. Apple was among the last significant hardware manufacturers to pass these costs onto consumers, allowing it to gain goodwill and extra time to strategize pricing effectively.
This timing is complemented by margin stability that existed before the memory crisis. In the March quarter, Apple’s gross margin reached nearly 48%, an increase from 46.6% a year prior, driven by a favorable product mix and growth in services. The lock-in effect of Apple’s ecosystem provides added security. A buyer of a MacBook or iPad who already possesses other Apple devices and has been using iCloud, iMessage, and AirDrop for a decade is more likely to accept a $200 price increase more easily than a Windows user would. Scale and supplier relationships enable Apple to endure the pressure more effectively than smaller PC manufacturers.
Furthermore, the iPhone, which is Apple’s largest segment and generates about half of the revenue, in addition to the Apple Watch and AirPods, has not experienced any price hikes thus far. Although prices for iPhone memory have almost certainly risen as well, Apple is likely anticipating the next refresh cycle—expected to concentrate more on high-end devices—to justify a price increase. This strategy has probably been well received by investors.
AI Spending Discipline Likely Aiding Investors.The market may also be starting to recognize Apple’s careful management of AI expenditures. Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOG), Meta (META) and Microsoft (MSFT) together are on track to dedicate nearly $700 billion in AI capital expenditures this year, pursuing gigawatt-scale training clusters.
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Simultaneously, some enterprise clients are beginning to scrutinize their AI expenditures more carefully. Tesla, for instance, has recently limited employee spending on AI tools, indicating a shifted focus on AI cost management as usage-based pricing reveals expenses more transparently.
This year, Apple’s capex guidance stands at about $14 billion, unchanged from the previous year, and it actually decreased in the March quarter. The market might reward this conservative approach. Apple licenses advanced AI capabilities from providers like Google’s Gemini, conserving cash on its balance sheet while delivering AI features to its existing user base. A slowdown in hyperscaler spending might make Apple’s strategy appear particularly prescient. If AI infrastructure investments ultimately yield lower-than-anticipated returns, Apple’s methodology could seem even more appealing.
However, this does not render Apple invulnerable. Memory expenses are anticipated to remain high through 2027, and additional price increases are still probable, including for iPhones. IDC has already predicted a contraction in the PC market this year due to price sensitivity. The stock’s recovery signifies investor faith in Apple's capacity to navigate this transition, and this confidence must endure the upcoming fiscal third-quarter earnings report. Presently, Apple appears to be the understated victor in the AI sector, facing the same cost inflation as its competitors while maintaining a competitive edge and margin structure that few can mimic.
A disciplined portfolio strategy can mitigate these risks while still engaging in long-term growth trends. The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio has consistently surpassed its market benchmark since its inception, achieving cumulative returns exceeding 105%.
Rostoucí ceny paměťových a úložných čipů nutí Apple zdražovat některé iPady a MacBooky, ale slabší konkurence může jeho produkty relativně zlevnit. Firma zatím nezvýšila ceny iPhonů.
Memory and storage prices are climbing sharply, which means consumers will be paying more for many tech products. Apple (AAPL +0.35%) recently said that it was raising the price of some iPad and MacBook products to offset rising costs. While this may seem like it's bad news for Apple, the supply shortage may actually help the business in the long run and be a positive catalyst for the stock. Here's why.
Image source: Getty Images.
Apple's products may suddenly look more affordable Earlier this year, Apple introduced a series of lower-priced products that aimed at gaining market share by appealing to a broader customer base. The MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e were among the most notable. The tech company said its MacBook Neo was its "most affordable laptop ever." And the iPhone 17e offers consumers a cost-effective way to upgrade and access the company's latest and greatest artificial intelligence capabilities.
By introducing lower-priced products, Apple has suddenly narrowed the gap between its devices and those of cheaper alternatives. And as other companies need to raise prices significantly due to rising memory and storage costs, Apple may not feel as much pressure to do so, given its strong margins. While it has announced price increases for some products, including the MacBook Neo, it has held off on raising iPhone prices for the time being. Other companies that don't have Apple's financial might may not have that same luxury. And as the gap between Apple's products and lower-priced options diminishes, consumers may be more inclined to simply buy an Apple product.
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The stock has been doing just fine this year, but can it continue rising? Apple's stock is up 15% since the start of the year, as concerns about rising prices don't appear to be weighing on the business. While higher prices may negatively impact demand for some of its premium-priced products, there's still hope that Apple might be able to capture greater sales on its lower-priced products and, in doing so, potentially attract more consumers into its ecosystem, leading to more future growth.
The business still looks to be in strong financial shape, but with a price-to-earnings multiple of 38, this is not a cheap stock to own, given the uncertainty amid both challenging economic conditions and rapidly rising memory and storage prices. While it may be a solid long-term investment for investors who just want to buy and hold for years, I'd hold off on buying the stock for now, as I think there are better options in the tech sector today.
David Jagielski, CPA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Apple v Číně během promo akce 618 prodal meziročně o 9 % méně iPhonů, i když díky slevám vystoupal na 2. místo v žebříčku smartphonů. Celý trh se propadl o 13 %.
Apple’s Discounts Boost Market ShareAccording to Counterpoint Research, Apple’s iPhone sales fell 9% year over year during the four-week 618 promotional period, despite a strong sequential rebound.
The company began promotions about a month before the annual shopping festival, offering savings of up to 2,000 yuan (about $290) on the iPhone 17 Pro series through official discounts, e-commerce platform incentives, and trade-in offers. Those promotions helped Apple climb to the No. 2 spot in China’s smartphone rankings.
The research firm said the year-over-year decline reflected tougher comparisons, as Apple had run even more aggressive promotions for the iPhone 16 series during last year’s 618 event.
China’s Smartphone Market Faces Broad SlowdownThe broader Chinese smartphone market remained under pressure. Counterpoint estimated total smartphone sales fell 13% from a year earlier during the promotional period as rising memory prices forced manufacturers to raise prices and scale back discounts. The weaker promotional environment dampened already soft consumer demand.
Huawei Outperforms RivalsHuawei was the standout performer, becoming the only major smartphone brand to post year-over-year growth. The company captured a 21% market share, driven by strong demand for the Enjoy 90 Pro Max and solid performance from the Mate 80.
Counterpoint also noted that Chinese Android vendors, including OPPO, HONOR, vivo and Xiaomi, all posted double-digit sales declines as manufacturers prioritized profitability over aggressive discounting.
Counterpoint Sees More Weakness AheadLooking ahead, Counterpoint expects China’s smartphone market to weaken further in the second half of 2026. The firm said vendors and supply chain partners have signaled that higher prices are likely to persist, while manufacturers continue adopting a profit-first strategy and trimming shipment plans. As a result, Counterpoint forecasts a double-digit decline in China’s smartphone shipments for the full year.
Apple Stock Technical AnalysisApple continues to trade well above its major moving averages, signaling a strong long-term uptrend. The stock sits 6.8% above its 20-day simple moving average, 7% above its 50-day SMA, 13.6% above its 100-day SMA and 16.2% above its 200-day SMA.
The 20-day SMA remains above the 50-day SMA, while the 50-day stays above the 200-day SMA, reinforcing a bullish “golden cross” formation.
Momentum indicators also remain constructive. The moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicator is above its signal line, suggesting buyers continue to control the near-term trend despite the stock’s extended rally.
On the upside, resistance is near $317.50, close to Apple’s 52-week high of about $317.40. A decisive move above that level could attract additional buying interest. On the downside, initial support sits around $287.50, near the rising 20-day and 50-day moving averages.
Apple Earnings And Analyst OutlookApple is scheduled to report quarterly earnings on July 30. Wall Street expects earnings of $1.89 per share, up from $1.57 a year earlier, on revenue of $108.86 billion compared with $94.04 billion in the prior-year period.
The stock trades at about 37.9 times earnings, reflecting a premium valuation.
Analysts maintain a consensus Buy rating with an average price forecast of $324.16. Recent analyst moves include Evercore ISI reiterating an Outperform rating with a $365 price forecast, KGI Securities downgrading the stock to Hold with a $315 price forecast, and Bank of America maintaining a Buy rating with a $380 price forecast.
Apple Price ActionAAPL Stock Price Activity: Apple shares were up 0.65% at $314.68 during premarket trading on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo via Shutterstock
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Apple po více než čtyřech letech obnovuje v Indii platby kartou pro Apple Account. Uživatelé tak mohou platit za iCloud+, Apple Music i nákupy v App Store kartami Visa a Mastercard.
Apple has begun restoring card payments for Apple Account purchases in India more than four years after withdrawing the option, the latest sign of how the iPhone maker is adapting its services to regulatory changes that have reshaped the country’s digital payments landscape.
The change, which is rolling out in phases, allows users in India to add eligible Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards to their Apple Account to pay for subscriptions such as iCloud+ and Apple Music, as well as App Store purchases.
In May 2022, Apple suspended card payments in India following changes to the country’s recurring payments framework. Since then, users have relied on UPI, India’s real-time payments network, net banking, and Apple Account balance for subscriptions and other Apple digital purchases.
The move illustrates a broader challenge for Apple as governments around the world impose country-specific rules on digital platforms, increasingly requiring the Cupertino company to tailor products, payments, and other services to local regulatory frameworks rather than offer a uniform global experience. Similar pressures have led Apple to revise parts of its App Store business in Europe, while regulatory changes in Japan and South Korea have also reshaped aspects of app distribution and payments.
Apple has made the backend changes needed to support card payments under India’s regulatory framework, according to a person familiar with the matter. The phased rollout began recently and is expected to expand to all eligible users over time. Apple has also updated its support documentation to reflect the change.
The framework, introduced by the Reserve Bank of India in 2021 and implemented in stages, required merchants and payment providers to introduce stronger customer authentication for recurring card payments and adopt tokenized card credentials, while preventing merchants from storing customers’ card details. The transition disrupted subscription billing for many domestic and international companies before they updated their payment systems.
“It’s long overdue but happening finally. This solves one of the friction points for subscription renewals,” said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research.
Apple’s services business in India has continued to grow at a double-digit pace despite the lack of direct card payments, but restoring the option becomes increasingly important as the company’s installed base expands and more users expect multiple ways to pay, he told TechCrunch.
The restoration of card payments is also likely to rekindle speculation about Apple Pay in India, following media reports that the company has explored bringing the service to the country. Apple has not announced any plans to launch the mobile payments service in India.
Apple did not respond to a request for comments.
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Jagmeet covers startups, tech policy-related updates, and all other major tech-centric developments from India for TechCrunch. He previously worked as a principal correspondent at NDTV.
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Broadcom Inc. AVGO shares rose 5.3% in trading on Monday after the semiconductor company announced an extension of its long-standing partnership with Apple Inc. through 2031.
The agreement reinforces Broadcom's position as one of the iPhone maker's key chip suppliers.
The new multi-year agreement expands the companies' collaboration on custom silicon products and provides Broadcom with long-term revenue visibility from one of its largest customers.
Apple accounts for about 20% of Broadcom's annual revenue, according to analysts, making the partnership strategically important for the chipmaker.
Broadcom said it has agreed to expand its partnership with Apple through 2031 to develop and supply custom chips, easing concerns over the iPhone maker's reliance on the semiconductor company.
According to Broadcom's recent SEC filing:
"Broadcom Inc. (“Broadcom”) and Apple Inc. (“Apple”) have agreed to expand their long-standing technology collaboration through 2031 by entering into new multi-year long-term agreements for Broadcom to develop and supply a range of custom ASIC silicon products for use in multiple generations of Apple products."
The agreement covers a range of custom silicon products that will be used across multiple generations of Apple devices.
Financial terms of the extension were not disclosed.
Broadcom has supplied Apple with key components for years, including radio frequency chips that enable iPhones to connect to cellular networks, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity chips, and other networking semiconductors.
Although Apple has developed several in-house chips, including its C1 modem, it continues to rely on Broadcom for wireless and radio-frequency components.
The companies had previously announced a multibillion-dollar agreement in 2023 for Broadcom to develop and manufacture 5G radio frequency components.
The latest extension builds on that relationship and secures Broadcom's role in Apple's supply chain through the end of the decade.
The extended partnership aligns with Apple's strategy of securing long-term supply agreements with key semiconductor companies to strengthen the resilience of its supply chain.
Apple relies on Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, to manufacture its in-house processors, including the M-series chips used in Mac computers and the A-series processors that power iPhones.
Demand for advanced chips has intensified as artificial intelligence adoption accelerates.
The growth of AI inference—the process by which models respond to user queries—has increased demand for custom chips and advanced processors, creating greater competition for manufacturing capacity.
TSMC has faced heavy demand from AI chipmakers such as Nvidia. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said in April that these capacity constraints had affected iPhone sales.
Apple is also in discussions with Intel to manufacture some chips in the United States, although analysts have said volume production is unlikely before late 2027.
The broader semiconductor industry has experienced rising component costs as AI infrastructure spending continues to expand.
Prices for memory and storage chips have climbed sharply in recent months, driven by increasing demand from AI hyperscalers.
Apple raised prices for its MacBooks and iPads in June after memory chip costs surged as much as 98% during the first half of 2026.
Beyond its relationship with Apple, Broadcom has been expanding its presence in the artificial intelligence market by developing AI-specific chips for other major technology companies, including Alphabet and Meta Platforms.
Apple údajně chystá nejméně pět nových iPhonů včetně prvního skládacího modelu za zhruba 2 500 USD a zvýšila svůj výrobní cíl na asi 10 milionů kusů. Zprávy podpořily akcie.
Apple (AAPL +4.88%) is reportedly preparing its most crowded iPhone lineup in years. According to supply chain reports cited by Asian news site Nikkei Asia, the company plans at least five new iPhone models between the back half of 2026 and early 2027, headlined by its first foldable smartphone -- and it has raised the production target for that foldable, rumored to carry a price around $2,500, to about 10 million units, reportedly up from an earlier 7 million to 8 million. The reports helped fuel one of the stock's best sessions of the year.
But the more useful question for shareholders isn't whether a folding iPhone is cool. It's whether a product blitz like this can move the earnings of a tech giant that sells more than 220 million phones a year.
Image source: Apple.
Sizing the foldable opportunity Start with how central the iPhone still is. In Apple's fiscal second quarter (the period ended March 28, 2026), iPhone revenue rose 22% year over year to about $57 billion, a March-quarter record, out of about $111 billion in total sales. That is more than half of the company coming from a single product line.
But how big of a catalyst could a foldable iPhone really be?
Ten million units at about $2,500 works out to around $25 billion of potential revenue in a full year -- a meaningful slice of the more than $200 billion the iPhone generates annually, and mostly a fiscal 2027 story rather than this year's.
Even more, spreading five models across price tiers is a deliberate move to grab share from rivals at both the high and low ends of the market.
Put those pieces together, and the foldable looks less like a blockbuster and more like a halo. It probably won't add much to any single quarter's revenue on its own. What it can do, however, is reset the ceiling on iPhone prices, pulling some upgraders into a pricier tier. In a maturing smartphone market, defending the high end while broadening the lineup to reach more price points could be a serious lever.
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Ultimately, the biggest reason for investors to be upbeat about a busy iPhone product cycle is that it shows that the company is trying to aggressively grow its installed base of active devices -- the foundation of its high-margin services.
And this important segment already has impressive momentum. Services revenue rose 16% to a record $31 billion in the same quarter.
But keep in mind that these new products won't show up in the tech giant's financials for a while. The foldable's revenue mostly lands next year, so this news bears on fiscal 2027's numbers, not the print later this month. Apple reports third-quarter results for fiscal 2026 on July 30, and management has guided for revenue growth of 14% to 17%.
Then there is the stock's price. Shares change hands at about 37 times earnings, a premium that already assumes a strong product cycle.
And there are other risks beyond valuation risk. Apple has never shipped a foldable, and a first-generation product in a brand-new form factor carries real execution risk -- hinges, unique displays, and manufacturing yields are all hard to get right. And even a runaway hit could be capped at a certain volume.
Still, the figure that ultimately moves Apple's earnings over the long haul won't be foldable units. It's total iPhone volume and how many of those buyers deepen their spending on services over time.
Overall, I do think Apple stock looks good here, but reports are still reports. I'd treat the foldable as upside optionality stacked on top of an iPhone-and-services engine that's already growing at a double-digit clip -- a reason to keep owning Apple, but not a reason to chase it on a rumor. With that said, if the rumor proves true, I think fiscal 2027 could be a major year for the company -- and maybe for the stock, too.
Bank of America ponechala u Apple doporučení Buy a cíl 380 USD, když vyzdvihla růst služeb, návratnost kapitálu a příležitosti v oblasti AI. Akcie byly po zprávě o 4,16 % výše na 306,64 USD.
Apple drew a bullish view from Bank of America Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan, who maintained a Buy rating and a $380 price forecast while pointing to services growth, capital returns, and future AI opportunities.
BofA Highlights App Store And Services GrowthMohan said Apple’s App Store revenue rose 3.2% year over year to $8.8 billion in the full fiscal third quarter of 2026, while total iPhone and iPad downloads increased 1.3% to 8.7 billion.
He also noted that App Store dollars per download rose 1.9% year over year to $1.01.
BofA models 14% year-over-year growth for Apple’s total services revenue in the fiscal third quarter of 2026.
Mohan kept his $380 price forecast, based on the 37 times calendar 2027 estimated EPS of $10.27.
Analyst Sees AI And New Products As Upside DriversMohan said BofA remains positive on Apple because of strong capital returns, its potential to become a winner in edge AI, and optionality from new products and markets.
He said the Supreme Court’s decision to hear Apple’s appeal in the Epic Games case is a constructive development as Apple continues to defend its App Store economics.
Mohan also viewed Apple’s new Siri AI architecture, combined with Apple silicon, as an important unlock for future hardware-driven and AI-enabled monetization opportunities.
Technical Picture Remains ConstructiveApple continues to trade in an established uptrend. The stock was trading at $306.64, about 4.3% above its 20-day simple moving average of $294.76 and 13.6% above its 200-day moving average of $270.69. The 20-day average also remains above the 50-day moving average, reinforcing the positive trend.
Momentum indicators also remain supportive. The moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicator is above its signal line, suggesting buying momentum continues to outweigh selling pressure.
The next technical resistance sits near $317.50, close to the stock’s 52-week high of $317.40. Initial support is around $287.50, near the cluster of the 20-day and 50-day moving averages.
Earnings Remain the Next Major CatalystApple is expected to report quarterly results on July 30. Wall Street expects earnings of $1.89 per share, up from $1.57 a year earlier, on revenue of $108.86 billion compared with $94.04 billion in the year-ago period.
The stock trades at about 35.6 times earnings, reflecting a premium valuation.
Analysts remain broadly positive. Evercore ISI maintained an Outperform rating with a $365 price forecast on June 25. KGI Securities downgraded the stock to Hold with a $315 price forecast on June 22. Bank of America maintained its Buy rating and a $380 price forecast on June 18.
Apple Price ActionAAPL Stock Price Activity: Apple shares were up 4.16% at $306.64 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo via Shutterstock
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Demand for Apple Inc's (NASDAQ:AAPL, XETRA:APC) iPhone is strengthening in the United States and Europe but weakening in China, according to a new consumer survey from UBS.
The Swiss bank polled more than 7,500 smartphone users across the United States, United Kingdom, China, Germany and Japan to gauge appetite for a new handset.
The share of American consumers planning to buy an iPhone in the next 12 months rose to around 20%, up from the year before.
Purchase intent also climbed in the United Kingdom and Germany, but slipped in China to roughly 15%, a new low for the second quarter in the survey's history.
UBS said the Chinese reading was a concern, given the country accounts for about a fifth of iPhone sales and may signal wider economic and competitive pressures.
The findings come ahead of an event in September at which Apple is widely expected to launch its first foldable iPhone.
The survey found that appetite for a foldable made by Apple was far higher than for foldable phones in general, a gap UBS reads as a positive sign for demand.
The bank believes a foldable device would give consumers a more compelling reason to upgrade than the artificial intelligence features Apple unveiled at its developer conference in June.
Interest in those Apple Intelligence features has cooled, with the proportion of respondents saying the technology would prompt them to upgrade sooner falling to about 24%.
Nearly a third said the features would have no bearing on their decision to buy a new phone.
Apple retained the strongest customer loyalty of any handset maker, with about 86% of iPhone owners saying their next phone would also be an iPhone.
UBS kept a 'neutral' rating on Apple shares, with a price target of $296 against a closing price of $287.55.
The bank argued the current valuation, at about 31 times expected earnings, already reflects improving demand.
It flagged possible price rises linked to higher memory costs, alongside uncertainty over Apple's product roadmap, as factors capping the shares.
